Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the NBA’s Most Precious Participant (MVP), scored 34 factors to assist the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder beat the Indiana Pacers 123-107 in Recreation 2 of the NBA Finals. The win means the sequence is now degree at 1-1.
In Recreation 1, the Pacers pulled off a surprising comeback to win 111-110, however the Thunder responded strongly on Sunday evening.
The Pacers had been aiming to turn into simply the fifth crew in NBA historical past to win the primary two video games in all 4 rounds of the playoffs. That dream was ended by a decided Thunder efficiency.
Gilgeous-Alexander was the star as soon as once more, with assist from Alex Caruso, who scored 20 factors off the bench. Jalen Williams (19), Aaron Wiggins (18), and Chet Holmgren (11) additionally helped safe the Thunder’s first NBA Finals win since 2012, once they beat Miami Warmth in Recreation 1 of that 12 months’s remaining.
The MVP has now handed Jalen Brunson of New York to turn into the highest scorer on this 12 months’s playoffs with greater than 514 factors.
“We did some issues nicely tonight and a few issues not so nicely,” Gilgeous-Alexander mentioned. “We simply must maintain enhancing and be prepared for Recreation 3.”
The Pacers, in the meantime, struggled. Myles Turner scored 16 and Pascal Siakam added 15, however no participant reached 20 factors. They’re the primary crew since Miami in 2013 to go two finals video games with no 20-point scorer.
Coach Rick Carlisle admitted his crew have been poor within the first half. “We simply didn’t play nicely,” he mentioned. “Slightly higher within the second half, however you possibly can’t wait to react in a recreation like this.”
Recreation 3 might be performed on Wednesday in Indianapolis, which is able to host an NBA Finals recreation for the primary time in 25 years.
