Context:

The Indiana Pacers lead the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder 2-1, with both teams maintaining a level-headed approach as they prepare for Game 4. Indiana's bench was pivotal in their Game 3 victory, outscoring Oklahoma City's reserves significantly, while the Thunder's starters showed strong performances in certain stretches. Indiana's coach Rick Carlisle emphasizes the need for a 'killer edge' given their underdog status, while Oklahoma City aims to even the series and leverage home-court advantage in the remaining games. Thunder guard Alex Caruso stresses the importance of mental preparation to avoid a daunting 3-1 series deficit, while Pacers' Myles Turner faces illness but is expected to play. Both teams have shown resilience, with Indiana not losing consecutive games in months and Oklahoma City maintaining a perfect record after losses since early April.

Dive Deeper:

• The Indiana Pacers hold a 2-1 lead in the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, with both teams focusing on maintaining composure and not getting carried away by their respective positions in the series. Indiana's Tyrese Haliburton and Oklahoma City's coach Mark Daigneault both emphasize the importance of emotional stability.

• In Game 3, the Pacers' bench, led by Bennedict Mathurin and T.J. McConnell, was crucial in their victory, outscoring the Thunder's reserves 49-18. However, the Thunder's starters had strong moments, with a 15-6 run to start the game and an 8-0 run in the third quarter, showcasing their potential to dominate.

• Rick Carlisle, coach of the Pacers, highlights the necessity of a 'killer edge' and total grit mindset to overcome the challenge of being underdogs in the series, acknowledging the difficulty of the task ahead. Conversely, Oklahoma City hopes to tie the series in Game 4, which would give them home-court advantage in two of the last three games.

• Thunder guard Alex Caruso underscores the critical nature of mental readiness and competitive greatness to face the possibility of a 3-1 deficit, which historically few teams have overcome. This mindset is essential for their road game in the playoffs, where winning is particularly challenging.

• Myles Turner of the Pacers, despite dealing with illness, is expected to play in Game 4. His defensive contributions were significant in Game 3, where he made crucial blocks in the final minutes. Both teams have shown resilience, with Indiana not losing back-to-back games in three months and the Thunder being undefeated after losses since early April.

• Indiana's Tyrese Haliburton has not taken a free throw in the series, an unusual statistic for a player of his caliber, reminiscent of a similar situation with Miami's Mario Chalmers in 2012. Meanwhile, the Pacers have a historical precedent of winning the title after leading all four postseason series 2-1, as seen with teams like the Lakers, Celtics, Pistons, and Spurs.

• Obi Toppin, Pacers forward, attributes the team's composure and success in close games to strong leadership and trust in their guards to make good plays during critical moments. This confidence is bolstered by the team's consistent performance and strategic execution throughout the series.