The Indiana Pacers forced game 7 of the NBA ends for the first time since 2016, after imposing themselves with authority 108-91 to Oklahoma City Thunder Thursday night.
Obi Toppin led the offensive with 20 points, followed by Andrew Nembhard with 17, while Pascal Siakam contributed a double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds. Despite being playing with a sprout in the calf, Tyrese Haliburton added 14 crucial points in a victory that completely changes the series of the series.
The seventh game will be played on Sunday night in Oklahoma City, where history slightly favors local teams in this type of meetings: the hosts have a 15-4 record in 7-year-old games. However, there are uncomfortable precedents for the Thunder: Cleveland beat Golden State as a visitor in game 7 of 2016, and Seattle, antecessor franchise of Oklahoma City, fell at home in 1978.
Indiana Tambaleo at the beginning but seeks to make history in the NBA
The meeting began with doubts for Indiana, who missed her first eight shots and saw himself quickly down 10-2. Even Reggie Miller, legend of the team and luxury spectator, was visibly nervous in the bank. However, the Pacers reacted and dominated with a partial of 68-32 in the next 24 minutes, taking an advantage that became 31 points, the second largest disadvantage Oklahoma has suffered this season.
The Thunder’s coach tried a strategic change after the break, placing Alex Caruso as a starter instead of Isaiah Hartenstein, but did not work. The third quarter began with both erratic teams, combining to fail the first 13 shots and spend almost four minutes without scoring.
From the bench, TJ McConnell was key with 12 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists, consolidating a triumph that allows Indiana to dream of the ring.
The definition by the NBA championship is now moved to a historical 7 game, with everything to decide on the PayCom Center court.
