In a decisive Game 3 of the NBA Finals, the Indiana Pacers defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 116-107, seizing a crucial 2-1 series lead. This win marked a departure from their typical comeback style, as the Pacers showcased stellar defense and offensive hustle in a dominant fourth quarter, where the Thunder managed only 18 points and committed numerous uncharacteristic mistakes.
The Pacers’ victory holds significant historical weight, as teams winning Game 3 in a 1-1 Finals tie go on to win the series about 80.5% of the time. Oklahoma City’s star player, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, despite finishing with 24 points, struggled with his shooting and turnovers, largely due to the impressive defense led by Pacers forward Pascal Siakam.
Tyrese Haliburton was pivotal for Indiana, contributing 22 points, 11 assists, and 9 rebounds. However, the standout performance came from bench player Bennedict Mathurin, who scored 27 points in just 22 minutes, marking one of the highest-scoring outings by a reserve in Finals history. Indiana’s reserves outscored Oklahoma City’s bench 49-18, a dramatic shift from their previous games.
The Pacers initially trailed but rallied to a halftime lead, emphasizing fast breaks and efficient bench play. Despite a lackluster finish to the third quarter that saw them slip behind, the Pacers regained control in the final minutes through tenacious rebounding and adversity management, while the Thunder displayed vulnerabilities tied to their relative inexperience. Coach Mark Daigneault acknowledged the Thunder’s struggle to impose their style of play, signaling a need for improvement as they prepare for Game 4 in Indiana.
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