Despite typically being one of the best teams when it comes to smart play and ball security, the Indiana Pacers committed 23 turnovers in Game 5 and practically gave the game (and potentially the series) to the Oklahoma City Thunder. To make matters worse, the Pacers turned the ball over eight times in the fourth quarter alone. The Thunder only committed one. When the pressure was on, the team crumbled in a very uncharacteristic fashion.
Outside of Myles Turner, everybody in the Pacers' starting lineup committed multiple turnovers; Andrew Nembhard turned the ball over three times, and Pascal Siakam led the game with six turnovers.
Following their latest loss, what was already going to be a difficult task just became that much more challenging. The Pacers must defeat the Thunder in each of the next two games (which would include a Game 7 in Oklahoma City). While they have built a reputation as a resilient team that is always capable of bouncing back, the odds are not in Indiana's favor.
The Pacers need to get back to who they are
While it may seem impossible (and it might be pretty close to it), there is a world that exists where the Pacers bounce back and take the series. In order for them to do so, however, they need to return to the brand of basketball that got them to this point in the first place, and it all starts with taking care of the ball.
In the regular season, the Pacers averaged just 13.2 turnovers per game. This was tied for third-best with the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, through five games in the NBA Finals, Indiana is averaging 18.1 turnovers per game to the Thunder's 13.4. A big reason the Pacers' offense is so successful is because of their efficiency and ability to move the ball at a high pace. Largely due to Oklahoma City's elite defense, they haven't been able to showcase that in the NBA Finals. However, with their backs now up against the wall, they need to do whatever they can to get things back on track.
The series is not over yet, and the Pacers still have at least one more game left on the schedule. They have constantly shocked the basketball world and done what some would have considered the impossible numerous times in this postseason alone. Indiana once again finds themselves in this position with a 3-2 series deficit. The Pacers have proven they have what it takes to pull off this type of comeback (see last year's series against the New York Knicks). However, if they continue playing sloppy basketball and letting the Thunder make them uncomfortable, a championship loss may be inevitable.