Against the ropes and with its star Tyrese Haliburton physically touched The Indiana Pacers released their best version at the most critical moment of the series to crush the Oklahoma City Thunder for 108-91. A total exhibition that not only matches The tie (3-3)but he launches those of Rick Carlisle with all the impulse towards the seventh and definitive meeting, which will be played early Sunday to Monday (2:00 h) at the PayCom Center in Oklahoma.
The Thunder seemed to jump to the track with the work already done after recovering the court factor with its two previous wins. But that excess of confidence cost them expensive. They competed with some dignity until the second quarter (32-31 in the absence of 8:51), at which time they collapsed before a yellow hurricane that endorsed a partial demolition of 38-11. The disadvantage, insurmountable to rest (64-42), scored a match that ended up displaying the premises and nightmare for visitors.
Overwhelming in all facets
The Pacers, who did not lose three games in a row since March, avoided that brand with an impeccable choral performance. They shone in triples (15/42 by 8/30), reduced their losses (10 by 21), moved the ball effectively (23 assists for 14) and dominated from the bench (48 points by 37). The contrast with Oklahoma was brutal.
Andrew Nembhard led with 17 points (3/5 in triples), seconded by Pascal Siakam (16+13+3) and a haliburton that, despite the inconvenience, signed 14 points (3/7 in triples) and 5 assists. The energy of the substitutes Obi Toppin (20+6) and TJ McConnell (12+9+6) broke the duel and encouraged the Thunder.
Oklahoma, a sea of errors
Not even the stars of the Thunder managed to dodge the storm. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (21+4+2), although it was the top scorer, ended with 8 losses. Jalen Williams (16) was not fine either. The rest, directly disappeared: Chet Holmgren (4+6), Lu Dort (3+4) and Alex Caruso (0+3+2) were not up to a decisive night.
Oklahoma signed a disastrous first half: 12 losses, only 3 assists and a 1/11 in triples. The third quarter was a Calvary, taking more than five minutes to score his first basket after the break. Gainbridge Fieldhouse public celebrated it; The Thunder seemed to think about the next game.
A devastating advantage
Indiana came to lead for 31 points (93-62), and although they lowered the intensity in the final minutes, the damage was already done. The beating not only served to match the series, but also to morally touched the one who had been the best team of the regular season (68-14).
With the final score of 108-91, the Pacers earn the opportunity to fight for the ring in a whole or nothing in the Paycom Center. The Thunder, with an imposing balance as premises (35-6 in regular season and 10-2 in these playoffs), will seek to redeem themselves to their audience and close a series that now looks much more open than only a few days ago.
