In a thrilling Game 4, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander delivered a standout performance, scoring 35 points and continuing his impressive streak. This is how the Oklahoma City Thunder’s star player gets to shine at home! He’s surpassed 31 points in each of his last nine home games. His play has fueled a blazing average of 34.2 points per game during this stretch. He further cements his reputation as one of the most dangerous players in postseason hockey.
It’s the Oklahoma City Thunder against the Indiana Pacers in a winner-take-all playoff series, with Gilgeous-Alexander carrying the team. He has scored 34 or more points in four consecutive games and five of his last six, showcasing his scoring prowess. Especially against the Pacers, as he has gone for 34.8 PPG in six meetings this season—playoffs included. His coolness under pressure will be tremendously important as the series moves on.
Pascal Siakam’s Steady Contribution
Joining him on the other side, Pascal Siakam has been the biggest force for the Indiana Pacers. In those 12 playoff games, he’s put up an eye-popping 22.2 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. Most importantly, this performance has solidified him as a reliable force for his team. That’s what makes Siakam’s performance so special. That’s right, he has gone for at least 27 combined points and rebounds in eight of those games!!
Siakam has continued his breakout play through a series win over the Thunder. He delivered a combined 27+ points/rebounds in three of those four outings to start the season. His near flawless effort will be key for the Pacers as they attempt to seize control of the series.
Key Players and Trends
Tyrese Haliburton has been another fascinating player to watch in this series. He’s been plagued by turnovers, averaging greater than 2.5 turnovers in each game to date. Despite this issue, both Haliburton and Siakam have shown exceptional skill throughout the series, contributing significantly to their team’s efforts.
The Indiana Pacers have been downright miraculous this season after losses. They really do deliver, sporting a sterling 22-13-2 against the spread record in those spots. Further, as an away underdog, they’ve been great this season going an impressive 19-12. This trend indicates that the Pacers should have the potential to recover in important situations.
T.J. McConnell was the most impactful player in this series. He’s surpassed a primary threshold statistic in three of the four games, and in five straight games away from Knoxville as well. His growth serves as a layer of depth to the Pacers’ matchup-focused playoff strategy.
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