THE INDIANA Pacers continue to hold onto their hopes a first championship following a decisive 108-91 victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 6 of the NBA Finals on Thursday night (Friday morning in the Philippines) at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Obi Toppin starred with 20 points, including four three-pointers, along with six rebounds and two steals for the Pacers, who tied the best-of-seven championship series at 3-3.
Andrew Nembhard contributed 17 points, Paskal Siakam recorded a double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds, while TJ McConnell and Aaron Nesmith scored 12 and 10 points, respectively.
Tyrese Haliburton, who had previously been reported as out due to a calf strain injury, added 14 points, including three three-pointers, along with five assists, two steals, and one rebound for Indiana.
The winner-take-all Game 7 is scheduled for Sunday night (Monday morning in the Philippines) at the Thunder’s home ground, Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
After falling behind 2-10 early in the opening quarter, the Pacers launched a strong comeback led by Siakam, Haliburton, and Nembhard to establish a 28-25 advantage.
The battle between the two teams were tight early in the second quarter before the Pacers pulled away with points from Haliburton and Siakam, building a 64-42 halftime advantage.
Both teams struggled offensively at the start of the third quarter before the Pacers surged again with contributions from Toppin and Nembhard, leading 90-60 after a buzzer-beating three-pointer by Ben Sheppard.
The Thunder’s bench players had a slight surge in the fourth quarter, but they could only cut the deficit to 20 points before the Pacers sealed the victory with points from Toppin.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 21 points, Jalen Williams added 16 markers, while Isaiah Joe and Isaiah Hartenstein followed with 11 and 10 points, respectively./PN
BOX SCORE:
INDIANA 108 — Toppin 20, Nembhard 17, Siakam 16, Haliburton 14, McConnell 12, Nesmith 10, Sheppard 7, Bryant 4, Bradley 3, Turner 3, Mathurin 2, Furphy 0, Johnson 0.
OKLAHOMA CITY 91 — Gilgeous-Alexander 21, Jal. Williams 16, Joe 11, Hartenstein 10, Jay. Williams 7, Wiggins 5, Holmgren 4, Jones 4, Dort 3, K. Williams 3, Dieng 3, Wallace 2, Mitchell 2, Caruso 0.
Quarterscores: 28-25, 64-42, 90-60, 108-91.
