Indiana Pacers secure an important 116-107 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder gave them a 2-1 series lead in the NBA Finals.
Haliburton had 22 points, nine rebounds, and 11 assists, while Bennedict Mathurin scored 27 coming off the bench, setting a career playoff-high. The Pacers’ bench was too much to handle, outpacing the Thunder 49-18 in this hard-edged and fast-paced contest.
Siakam chipped in with 21 points, and McConell blocked and stole his way to at least 10 points and five steals; all this contributed to the Pacers finishing with a 10-0 record in games after a loss since March.
The Thunder saw Jalen Williams post 26 points, MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander score 24, and a deserting third-quarter offense for OKC, which was 32 – 18 in fourth-quarter scoring.
The Pacers let Oklahoma City back in the game in the third quarter, trailing by five entering the fourth quarter. However, the fourth-quarter magic of Haliburton and Toppin (who hit a crucial dunk and even stronger block) forever sealed the win. After such a good start, Thunder turnovers proved to be the undoing of the night; 19 people gifted the Pelicans’ 21 points.
Game 4 is on Friday in Indianapolis, with the Pacers attempting to extend their lead and draw one win closer to the perfectNBA championship.
