The Indiana Pacers have not lost their chance at the NBA Finals with a convincing 108-91 win against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday, hence setting up a deciding Game 7.
Despite a right calf injury, Tyrese Haliburton was given the go-ahead to play just before the tipoff and thus contributed 14 points, five assists, and two steals to a very impressive team performance. “Here we are with our backs against the wall, and we have just reacted,” says Haliburton.
Obi Toppin was the leading scorer off the bench for the Pacers with 20 points, while Andrew Nembhard brought in 17, and Pascal Siakam reached 16 points and 13 rebounds. Indiana’s reserve unit led the way in points over Oklahoma City’s 48-37 as the Pacers opened the second quarter with a 34-18 run to take a 64-42 lead at halftime.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 21 points but was responsible for eight of their total turnovers of 21. Jalen Williams, who contributed 40 points in Game 5, was contained to 16 and missed all of his four attempts from beyond the arc.
Indiana was ahead by 31 points at one stage in the fourth quarter and thus the Thunder decided to rest their starters. The seventh game which is the decider will take place on Sunday in Oklahoma City with both teams in pursuit of a championship after a long time.
