The best game of what is going to end for the local team. The Pacers did not need to pull miracles this time to take a real game between two teams that played with their best cards. Indiana's key and victory undoubtedly goes through the bench.
The second rotation players were key. Bennedict Mathurin was the top scorer of the match. The Canadian scored 27 points (9-12 in medium distance shots and 2-3 in triples) In 22 minutes. In addition, it has become the player who scores the most points from the bench in some NBA finals since 2011. Key was also T. J. McConnell. Its intensity and robberies in plays difficult to justify Oklahoma, implemented the pecers of an extra energy that infected the Gainbridge Fieldhouse to achieve thus getting ahead in the global tie.
Hailam yakam, the pillars stabiles
Although the prominence of the bench was key, the headlines also complied. Haliburton flirted with triple-double at the end of 22 points, 11 assists and 9 rebounds. The titular base showed Temple in decisive times, hitting nine out of 17 releases, including four triples. For his part, Cameroonian Pascal Siakam contributed 21 points, six rebounds and four assists, consolidating his role as a second strong man in Carlisle's offensive scheme.
Haliburton with Shai in an action of the third party of the finals / AP
A gust of gusts and tactical adjustments
The meeting began with Oklahoma City domain. The Thunder, thanks to the inspired start of Chet Holmgren (13 points in the first quarter), escaped on the scoreboard with a 24-32. Shai Gilgeous-Alexanderthe usual leader of the Thunder, had a discreet start and did not score his first basket until nine and a half minutes have elapsed. Even so, he closed the first partial with six points, helping his own to maintain the initial advantage.
Indiana's comeback began in the second quarter, taking advantage of Gilgeous-Alexander's break. In just three minutes, the Pacers went from nine points down to lead the score 37-36, driven by the energy of McConnellwho added four assists, three robberies and two points in that short period. The second partial was an offensive storm of Indiana, who won 40-28, leaving at rest with an advantage of 64-60.
In the second half, the Thunder reacted. Three consecutive baskets at the beginning of the third quarter returned the front. They adjusted their defense and limited the attack of the Pacers to only 20 points in that period, closing the third quarter above 84-89.
The last quarter: Indiana's specialty
When it seemed that Oklahoma took control, the resilient spirit of the Pacers emerged again. In the last quarter, Indiana unleashed a partial demolition of 19 points in just over five minutes, led by Mathurin's success and a triple Haliburton crucial in the absence of 6:40, which put the score 101-98. The Thunder coach Mark Daigneault requested dead time trying to stop the yellow tide, but the damage was done.
The Thunder barely added 18 points in the last period, their worst mark in any room of this final. Two consecutive losses of Indiana gave Oklahoma a last hope, but the visitors did not know how to capitalize on the opportunities and were overcome at both ends of the court.
History favors Indiana
With this victory, the Pacers not only recover the field advantage, but also placed in a historically favorable position. In the previous 41 NBA finals that arrived tied 1-1, the team that won the third game ended up champion on 33 occasions, which represents 80.5% probability.
The next meeting of the series will be played again in Indianapolis this Friday, while the fifth will be played at Oklahoma City on Monday. The initial bets clearly favored the Thunder, but Indiana's solid collective performance has begun to balance the panorama.
Indianapolis dreams again. The city, its fans and a template full of emerging talent are demonstrating that the final surprise is not only possible, but increasingly likely.
