INDIANAPOLIS — Tyrese Haliburton used to have the video staff assemble clips of his made shots and assists.
Then, Rick Carlisle became his coach with the Indiana Pacers.
“He’s really helped me learn how to watch film, which I think is important,” Haliburton said. “I think that’s something that’s not talked about enough. … If you’re just watching and trying to find your highlights, that’s much different than really trying to dissect things.’
Carlisle and Haliburton are spending time dissecting video of Oklahoma City’s defense on Haliburton and the Pacers through the first two games of the NBA Finals.
While the series is tied at 1-1, the Thunder have led for all but one minute and 53.3 seconds of the 96 minutes over two games.
Headed into Game 3 Wednesday, June 11 (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC), attention is on Haliburton and his ability to break down Oklahoma City’s top-ranked defense.
“We’ve gone through these situations many times, not only during the playoffs but during the regular season, not just this season but prior seasons,” Carlilse said. “We’re going to have to adjust and create better situations. We’re going to have to be better.”
In the Thunder’s 123-107 victory in Game 2 on Sunday, June 8, Haliburton scored 17 points and had six assists, but 12 points came in the fourth quarter when the Thunder had established control.
It doesn’t mean the Pacers can’t learn from those points and help Haliburton create better offensive opportunities.
Carlisle and Haliburton acknowledged that it is difficult playing against the Thunder’s top-ranked defense.
“Oklahoma City has more people to throw at a great player – really at both of our All-Stars,” Carlisle said. “They can throw bigger, smaller, medium guys at Tyrese and at Pascal (Siakam). It’s one of their strengths.”
The Thunder made a change to their lineup at the start of the Finals, inserting Cason Wallace into the starting lineup and putting Isaiah Hartenstein on the bench. That gives the Thunder more versatility with a smaller but still strong lineup. That decision takes away some of Indiana’s ability to find favorable matchups.
According to nba.com player-tracking data, Oklahoma City’s Lu Dort, a first-team All-Defensive selection this season, Jalen Williams, a second-team All-Defensive selection this season, Alex Caruso, an All-Defensive choice in 2023 and 2024, and MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are guarding Haliburton the most. They are using their size, strength and speed to help defend Haliburton.
“They got more guys than most teams in the NBA that are high level at the point of attack,” Haliburton said. “They’re really connected on the defensive end. I feel like they mix up coverages. I think (Thunder) coach (Mark) Daigneault isn’t afraid to do things on the fly. He doesn’t do everything that’s like very traditional.”
Haliburton hinted at a couple of solutions. Getting into the offense quicker in the shotclock and curtailing pick-and-roll sets.
“That starts with me just getting us in better positions, playing out of different spots, all those things,” Haliburton said. “Definitely got to mix it up against these guys.”
During the regular season, 37.7% of Indiana’s shots were taken with 15 or more seconds remaining on the 24-second shot clock. In the Finals, just 30.5% of the Pacers’ shot attempts came with 15 or more seconds on the shot clock.
“I feel like I probably got caught in too many high pick-and-rolls where they can really pack it in and end up getting shots late against the clock, especially the first half of both games,” Haliburton said.
In the fourth quarter of Game 2, the Pacers found success getting Haliburton the basketball on the go, using multiple screens to give him space in the paint and at the 3-point line.
None of that is easy, especially with the Thunder using their physicality, and Haliburton is a banged up with what he termed a “lower (right) leg thing” but he says he is fine and will be ready for Game 3.
“Keep watching film, see where I can get better,” Haliburton said. “The answers always lie in the film.”
Follow NBA reporter Jeff Zillgitt on social media @JeffZillgitt