The Indiana Pacers are on the brink of elimination, but you can’t count this incredible team out just yet. Indiana has shown a ton of heart, and I don't think they'll go away quietly.
While Haliburton deals with an injury, look for their two red-hot scorers, Aaron Nesmith and Pascal Siakam, to step up, while SGA should continue his damage from inside the arc.
Nesmith has hit this prop in 3 of 5 games during this series and throughout this remarkable postseason run, has hit 3+ threes in nine games. 50.4% from beyond the arc and receiving volume to go with it, Aaron Nesmith will be the swing factor in Game 6, and if he scores 20+ points, Indiana will be heading to OKC for a Game 7.
If not, they will end their season at home in front of Reggie Miller and company. We have been saying this for weeks now - Indiana wins the games you never expect.
Nesmith is a massive component as to why this statement is true, and once again, he comes up clutch for the Pacers.
Shai simply doesn’t have to shoot threes in order to score 30+ points. With Games 6 and 7 of the NBA Finals normally being officiated loosely, this favors Indiana, who can throw Nesmith, Nembhard, McConnell, and company at Shai without getting into too much foul trouble.
I expect traps off PnRs, full-court pressure, and anything to take SGA out of rhythm and force him to hit those tough mid-range shots. He’s rarely had an open look from 3, and that should remain the same against the swarming Pacers defense.
The former champion has two double-doubles in this postseason while coming close in a handful of other games. While this is a longshot bet for the veteran who will have to score at least 20-25 points in order for Indiana to have a chance, a hobbled Haliburton might lead way for a more aggressive Siakam who can get offensive boards with his effort and hang in there defensively against any OKC player - front or back court.
Siakam had a Game 6 double-double against Golden State some time ago in the NBA Finals, while in this year’s Game 6, he will have to play additional minutes should Carlisle’s squad end up extending this series into a Game 7.