AROUND the NBA:

[F Gump]

As I have noted before, I would caution against the assumptions that (a) the results of the last game are determinative of the next aka new-found momentum in a series, and (b) the change of venue won't really matter.

In former days, the goal of the lesser seed in the Finals was to get a split on the road, then return home and protect home court. IND has done step 1. And and after their G1 win, its possible all we saw was a letdown in G2 after mission accomplished by G1. 

Now we see how much their game is raised by playing at home and whether they can protect HCA. 

This series is far from over, and IND (not OKC) has the benefit of HCA from here. Just saying. Be smart. Don't overreact.

Does anyone else see this ^ yet? If you wager, I hope you are listening.

EVERY GAME in a playoff series is a whole series to itself, and there is no such thing as momentum. And the most meaningful game is the next one, not the last one. At this point, if you think this series is over (either way), you aren't thinking.

The natural inclination is to overreact and think the last game told you what the next game will look like. But it didn't. Still.

IND has HCA. But now, it all rides on the next game - where OKC in only one game can re-gain HCA, or in one game IND playing at home can put a 3-1 stranglehold on the series.

That means BOTH TEAMS will be desperate to win G4. Neither can afford to lose. IND gets the advantage of playing it at home, and this time the venue does NOT change. But anything can happen.

Just saying. Be smart. Don't overreact.