Oklahoma City Thunder have responded in style. They levelled the National Basketball Association (NBA) Finals at 1-1 with a convincing 123-107 win over the Indiana Pacers.
Game 1 saw the Pacers snatch a thrilling 111-110 victory in Oklahoma. But the Thunder made no mistake the second time around, dominating from the start.
Thunder Bounces Back With Strong Start
The Thunder raced out of the blocks in Game 2. They seized control early and never let go. Their sharp ball movement and defensive energy were too much for the Pacers to handle.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (1.20) once again showed why he was crowned NBA MVP. He dropped 34 points to lead his team to a much-needed victory. This marked the Thunder’s first win in an NBA Finals game since their 2012 clash with the Miami Heat.
Gilgeous-Alexander also moved past Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks to become the leading scorer in the current playoffs. That statistic alone underlines his consistency and impact throughout the postseason.
Key Contributors Step Up
While Gilgeous-Alexander stole the headlines, he was far from alone. Alex Caruso came off the bench with a strong 20-point performance. His energy and defence were crucial.
Jalen Williams added 19 points, Aaron Wiggins chipped in with 18, and Chet Holmgren scored 11. This well-rounded contribution made it difficult for the Pacers to focus on any one threat.
The Thunder were clinical on both ends of the court. Their execution in transition and half-court offence proved too much for Indiana, which had no answers on the night.
Pacers Miss Chance To Make History
The Pacers entered Game 2 hoping to continue their historic playoff run. They were aiming to become just the fifth team to win Games 1 and 2 in all four series of the playoffs. Only the Boston Celtics (1986), Los Angeles Lakers (1987), Chicago Bulls (1996), and Golden State Warriors (2017) have achieved that.
However, Indiana’s poor first half dashed those hopes. They fell behind early and never recovered. Head coach Rick Carlisle did not hold back in his assessment.
“A bad first half was a big problem,” said Carlisle. “And we just played poorly. A little better in the second half. But you can’t be a reactive team and expect to be successful or have consistency.”
Offensive Struggles Continue For Indiana
Scoring has become a concern for Indiana. They have now gone two straight finals games without a single 20-point scorer. That hasn’t happened since the Miami Heat managed the same in 2013.
Myles Turner led the team with just 16 points. Pascal Siakam was next best with 15. These numbers reflect a lack of offensive rhythm and confidence.
In contrast, the Thunder had five players in double digits. The Pacers will need a major turnaround to compete in Game 3. Home-court advantage may offer them a needed boost.
What’s Next: Game 3 In Indianapolis
Game 3 will be a special occasion. It marks the first NBA Finals game in Indianapolis in 25 years. The city is sure to be buzzing with excitement.
The Pacers must regroup and fix their first-half woes. If they allow the Thunder to build another early lead, it could be another long night.
Gilgeous-Alexander remains focused. “We did some things well tonight. We did some things badly,” he said. “We’ve got to be able to get better and be ready for Game 3.”
Both teams now know what is at stake. With the series tied, Game 3 could be pivotal in deciding the championship. Fans and online sports betting enthusiasts alike will be watching closely.
