The Thunder's do-it-all energizer and defensive menace has been a bigger part of the offense, and his playing time has increased accordingly in the most important games of the season.

Tyrese Haliburton credits Stephen Curry for his NBA Finals success, utilizing decade's worth of Curry's defensive strategies.

Carlisle, the longtime NBA head coach, has received endless praise over the offseason as he's helped lead the Pacers through the Eastern Conference and now to a lead in the NBA Finals over the league's best regular season team. Barkley's only kidding, but with how the Knicks have went about their coaching search, don't put anything past them.

Indiana struggled with fouls against Donovan Mitchell and Jalen Brunson. The Pacers must improve against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in NBA Finals.

Thunder series, Oklahoma City suffered a crushing business loss to Indianapolis. OKC rebuilt itself in Indy's image.