Quote from: dwyane36 on Today at 07:48:00 AM

Quote from: yahoo62278 on June 14, 2025, 04:39:46 PM

Pacers have been beating everyone on their home courts, so IMO game 7 in OKC wouldn't really be a big deal. Crowd noise I suppose could be a factor but that will just push the Pacers to play harder and shut them up.

Game 4 should have been a Pacers victory, idk what makes the Pacers take their foot off the gas but they sure did late in the 4th. Noone wanted to take a shot, just kept passing and settling for shit shots that didn't go in. Very disappointing.

Crowd noise in the home arena somehow makes it difficult for opponents, but it's worth noting that the Pacers have no problem with that in this playoffs. They've played 10 road games, seven of which they've won.
And even though the Pacers have lost a couple of times in this series, those weren't easy wins for the Thunder. So, I think the upcoming games will also be tough for the Thunder, even with the home arena advantage.

It's not only crowd noise. First of all at home you are plying in front of your family and friends, which gives you a huge motivational boost. Also, you have your regular routine being in your home city, that also makes a big difference.
Then let's not forget about the refs which first of all also get influenced by the home crowd cause you don't want to make them too angry. It's not a big secret that home teams most of the time get more calls then the visiting one.

Pacers got manhandled in both games in Oklahoma but came back from a huge deficit in game one, couldn't do the same in game 2. So yeah, OKC is strong at home and we shouldn't talk the Pacers stronger than they actually are.
Obviously the truth lies on the field and we will know more in 48 hours.