Thunder Coach Expects Very Tall Challenge

Daigneault wary of Indiana's pace, but OKC can rely on their all-for-one mentality

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OKLAHOMA CITY - Oklahoma City Thunder coach Mark Daigneault is planning for the challenge of slowing down the Indiana Pacers in a matchup of two of the National Basketball Association's (NBA) highest-scoring teams in the Finals starting with Game 1 on June 5 (June 6, Singapore time).

As he digs into the details, he knows that there is a difference between getting a feel of the opponents and the opponents making sure you feel them.

"We aren't inventing anything this week. They pump a 99mph (160kmh) fastball at you, and you can prepare all you want for that. But when you're in the batter's box, it's different when it's time to hit. It's going to be a very tall challenge," Daigneault, 40, said.

Oklahoma City feature two top on-ball defenders who will share the chore of shadowing Pacers All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton. He averaged 18.8 points and a leading 9.8 assists in the play-offs to reach the Finals and is the engine of a revving offense capable of attacking from many angles.

Luguentz Dort defended Haliburton in two regular-season matchups, both Thunder wins, and limited him to averages of 11 points and 5.5 assists.