They won it in the 4th quarter again. An 8-point lead after 3 had the "Pacers" still withing reaching distance. And after closing to within 4, it looked like Destiny's child was in Indiana. But for the second critical game the "Thunder" owned the 4th, outscoring the "Pacers" by 3 when the "Pacers" needed to outscore them by 9. Also for the second game in a row, Tyrese Haliburton was a non-factor. Tonight, he was a liability. In 34' he FINISHED with 4 points, all from the free-throw line. He was 0/6 (0/4) from the field. He had a full stat line, 7 rebs, 8 asts, but also 3 turnovers and 3 fouls. He was a team (and thus game-low) -13 when he was on the court. Pascal Siakam was high man for Indiana with 28 points but OKC's league-best defense caused him 6 turnovers.
Once again it was the huge turnover disparity and the huge points-off turnovers that were the game within the game. Indiana a G-League 23 to the "Thunder's" 11. And points-off-turnovers were an astounding, and fatal, 32-9. That was the game there, the turnovers and OKC's turning them into points.
On the winner's side it was the two "Thunder" players who provide the lightning so often. Jalen Williams had 40; Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 31. The "Pacers" could not stop that dynamic duo.
OKC now have two chances to win one and their first NBA title. Good night, Indiana, good night pageviewers.
