Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the figure of OKC, with the ball in the NBA final.
Photo: Efe – Manuela money
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Oklahoma City Thunder did not fail twice. After waste a 15 -point advantage in the first gameMark Daigneault team corrected the libretto and this Sunday dominated from beginning to end to win 123-107 To Indiana Pacers in the second game of the NBA finals.
With the series tied 1-1, the duel moves to Indianapolis, but the feeling is clear: OKC regained control.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander It was the axis of everything. After having a good game in the initial defeat, this time he signed 34 points, five rebounds and eight assistsleading with intelligence an attack that never allowed the reaction of the Pacers. The complete team executed a collective plan that minimized errors, sustained the intensity and marked the rhythm from the initial jump.
A start with lessons learned
The story of this second game began to write from the first quarter. Unlike the inaugural party, OKC was not trapped by anxiety or vertigo and managed to maintain the level throughout the game. Holmgren and Shai led some Thunder that went up 26-20 after the first partial.
Indiana remained at stake during the first minutes, but Tyrese Haliburton He started off again, with a defense that bother him and forced him to quickly release the ball.
The Pacers bet on rotation, but this time their second unit did not respond with the same spark of the first game.
Indiana's rotation, the breakdown of the party
The second quarter was the breakdown. The minutes without Haliburton or Siakam left Indiana vulnerable and OKC took advantage of it. Alex Caruso y Aaron Wiggins contributed from the bank, Jalen Williams He showed all his repertoire and the local advantage began to grow.
Again the barrier of the 15 pointsbut unlike game one, this time the Thunder did not make the mistake of releasing control. The defense continued by adjusting, the rebound was dominated (25-21 to rest), and the offensive rhythm remained. Halftime, the partial of 59-41 reflected the clear domain of the local team.
OKC also showed superiority in execution: 51.1 % in field shots, 36.8 % in triplesy 75 % from the line. Indiana, on the other hand, sailed without ideas: Haliburton added just three pointsand Siakam with Nembhard (9 each) found no stable partners in attack.
Shai and OKC's maturity
If the first game left doubts about OKC's maturity, this second was the answer. With an aggressive and constant position, the team controlled every aspect of the third quarter. Shai became the absolute protagonist, always finding the best option and punishing the rival defense in each error.
Indiana tried to resist, but without the collective inspiration of the first game. Haliburton was still disconnected, the triples did not enter with the desired regularity, and Siakam's physical game was not enough to hold them.
The difference grew to the 20 pointsand the third quarter ended 93-74leaving the game practically sentenced.
Indiana, without magic at closing
The last quarter only served for Indiana to show a late reaction attempt. Haliburton exceeded the dozen points in the final partial, but its impact came too late. OKC, on the other hand, intelligently managed the remaining minutes, maintained the advantage and celebrated with its audience.
Con four minutes to play and 111-91 on the scoreboardthe story was closed. Indiana's headlines went to the bank, thinking about the three game that will be Wednesday at home. The final score was 123 to 107.
Beyond Shai's performance, OKC won by its structure. Jalen Williams completed a great game (19 points, five rebounds, five assists), Caruso It was key with 20 pointsand Wiggins shone with 18 From bank. Holmgren (15 points, six rebounds) y Hartenstein (Eight rebounds, four points) They gave inner consistency.
In the numbers, the Thunder were superior: 48.8 % in field shots, 87.9 % in free, 43-35 in reboundsand a notable defensive presence with 10 robberies And alone 13 losses. Indiana, despite distributing more assists (27), had no tactical response or consistency: he suffered in free throws (73.1 %) and lost 15 balls.
Indiana, forced to reinvent themselves
The Pacers will need much more to hold the series at home. Haliburton, despite closing with 17 points, six assistshe was missing in the first three rooms. Turner (16 points), Siakam (15), Nesmith y Mathurin (14 each) they met in numbers, but the team found no offensive or fluidity rhythm.
The second unit, which had been decisive in game one, did not appear this time. And the OKC defensive approach shows that the adjustments work when the concentration is total.
The series now travels to Indiana with a clear message: OKC corrected his mistakes and is in control. The key to Thunder will be to keep the focus. For Indiana, on the other hand, the third game is a turning point: it needs Haliburton in leading mode, better bank performance and a more effective defense to contain the fluid attack of the Thunder.
After two games, it is clear that the series will be long. And that every night brings his own story. In this, OKC wrote it with authority.
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