By Dennis Guillermo

Game 4. The MVP is on the clock. SGA needs to find a way to salvage their dream season in Indy.

I know they’re only down 2-1 in this series, but going down 3-1 against a feisty and relentless Indiana Pacers squad is as good as being dead.

In my Game 3 preview, I penned that I haven’t seen the Pacers fatigue OKC the way they did all their previous opponents, the Knicks, Cavs and Bucks. 

I finally saw that with SGA in Game 3. Whether it was simply mental or physical or both, SGA sat on the Gainbridge Fieldhouse hardwood floor in the 4th quarter for more than a few seconds after getting a foul called for him and just sat there. He gave a look that told me he was cooked. 

The game was still in the balance when it happened, but in that moment I knew the Pacers not only finally got to him, they are also going to bag the game.

Does that mean SGA won’t come back stronger and put together a better effort than his series-low 24-point performance in Game 3? I won’t bet on it. SGA is the the MVP for good reason. Plus he is going to get help.

Scott Foster will be the crew chief for Game 4. Why am I saying that? Read between the lines.

So are we betting on OKC to take Game 4? You can. I definitely can see OKC taking this back to the crib tied for Game 5.

That said, I also stated earlier in the Playoffs after they’ve displayed their “never say die” risilience all season and all playoffs long to never bet against this Pacers unit. I’m not about to go against myself now.

I’m taking the spread on the Pacers +6.