It’s The Year Of Westbrook so of course he nailed this game-tying shot to force overtime. (There were 2.4 seconds remaining, but Glenn Robinson III missed a baseline floater on the other end.)
Russell Westbrook nailed a game-tying 3 after the Pacers forget to defend the 3-point line
This defense waaaaasn’t great.
That’s bad defense from the Pacers. They barely guard the three-point line and give up an open look for Oklahoma City’s best player. Jeff Teague is trailing after Westbrook rubbed him off an Adams screen, but this is why teams often switch on late inbounds plays, or play zone. Either option would have been better than Teague chasing Westbrook without a help defender coming out of the paint (again — three-point lead) while Teague recovers to his man.
Last year, the Pacers had the third-best defense in the league. So far this season, their defensive rating is several points worse and they rank right in the middle of the NBA.
Despite Westbrook’s shot, the Pacers did win in overtime, 115-111.
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