The Indiana Pacers did not get off to a great start in Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, especially pertaining to their turnovers. In the first half of the game, the Pacers committed 19 turnovers to Oklahoma City's four. To say this is uncharacteristic of them is selling it short. For some context, the Pacers committed 19 or more turnovers in a game just once throughout the playoffs so far (their Game 5 loss to the New York Knicks in the conference finals).
Indiana has a tough challenge ahead of them in Oklahoma City in the NBA Finals. The Thunder were not only the best defensive team in the league this season, but they are one of the best in recent history. They are tenacious and can force turnovers at will. Even for a team like the Pacers, who are among the best in the NBA at taking care of the ball, the Thunder's defense can cause some major problems. There is a lot of time for them to adjust and turn things around, but after one half, it is clear that Oklahoma City's defense might be too much for the Pacers to overcome.
The Pacers are still in a good position
Luckily for the Pacers, they have a head coach in Rick Carlisle who is one of the best in the NBA. He is good at making adjustments when needed, and he can usually draw up the right gameplan for the team to execute. As the series progresses, it is safe to assume the Pacers will make the changes necessary to be as successful as possible, and that includes neutralizing the Thunder's pressure and overall defensive intensity.
The Thunder ended the season with the best record in the NBA for a reason. However, the Pacers are also in the NBA Finals for a reason. Even though they entered the playoffs as the No. 4 seed in the East, Indiana is on a deep playoff run because of their resilience, fast-paced offense, and their elite team chemistry.
An NBA Champion is not crowned in the first game, let alone the first half of the game. Still, it was less than an ideal start for the Pacers, who need a lot to go their way in order to win their first NBA title. How they bounce back will be crucial for their chances as it could be what decides their fate in their first NBA Finals since 2000.