Pacers Thrash Thunder, Force a Game 7 Back in Oklahoma City
INDIANAPOLIS–With their backs against the wall and their season on the line, the Indiana Pacers kept their season alive by dominating the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 6 of the NBA Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse Thursday night 108-91.
The series is now tied 3-3.
The Pacers took a lead after the first quarter for just the second time in the finals at 28-25. They blew the game open in the second period by outscoring the Thunder 36-17. Pacer forward and Eastern Conference Finals MVP Pascal Siakam (16 points and 13 rebounds) had a dunk and then a shot at the buzzer to make the lead 64-42 Indiana at halftime.
Pacer guard Tyrese Haliburton entered the game dealing with a strained calf. He was cleared to play and finished with 14 points and five assists but got to rest the entire fourth quarter because his team had such a large lead.
Indiana led by as many as 31 and overcame an early eight-point deficit (10-2) to get the win. After turning the ball over 23 times in Game 5, the Pacers had just 11 in Game 6.
Obi Toppin led the Pacers with 20 points. Six Pacers finished in double figure scoring. Andrew Nembhard had 17. TJ McConnell came off the bench to score 12 to go along with nine rebounds and six assists.
In the loss, the Thunder was led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with 21 points and four rebounds.
Game 7 is Sunday night at the Paycom Center. Tipoff is at 8 pm. You can hear the game on 93.5 and 107.5 The Fan.
