Despite the Indiana Pacers seizing a 2-1 advantage over the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Finals series, setting the stage for Game 4, both teams maintain a studied equanimity, with Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton observing that "the real test lies ahead," a sentiment underscored by their Game 3 victory (116-107) where Benedict Mathurin and T.J. McConnell’s stellar performances fueled a decisive 49-18 advantage for the Pacers' bench; however, the Thunder demonstrated resilience with dominant starts in the first and third quarters, prompting Pacers coach Rick Carlisle to repeatedly emphasize the necessity of a "killer instinct" throughout the series, a requirement amplified by the precarious scenario wherein a Thunder victory in Game 4 would level the series at 2-2, granting them the advantage of hosting two of the remaining three games at home, all while the Pacers navigate the uncertainty surrounding Myles Turner's availability for Game 4 due to an undisclosed malady.