NBA Finals Game 2: Thunder dominate Pacers to even series

The Oklahoma City Thunder evened the NBA Finals at one game each Sunday, cruising to a 123-107 victory over the Indiana Pacers in Game 2.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 34 points. Oklahoma City was dominant defensively, holding the Pacers to only 38.7% shooting through the first three quarters.

Indiana's Tyrese Haliburton, who hit the game-winning shot in Game 1, had a relatively quiet night. Haliburton scored only 5 points through the game’s first three quarters before finishing with 17.

After they blew a 15-point lead in the fourth quarter of the series opener, the Thunder never took their foot off the gas Sunday. Oklahoma City took an 11-point lead with 7 minutes and 47 seconds left in the second quarter and then led by double digits for the rest of the night.

The Thunder were better in several areas in Game 2 compared with Game 1, especially offensively.

Oklahoma City shot more efficiently from the field, got to the free-throw line more often and made more 3s in Game 2. For good measure, the Thunder also won the rebound battle after they got hammered on the boards in Game 1.

Gilgeous-Alexander, who missed a late 2-pointer before Haliburton’s winner Thursday, was also much better. After having shot only 46.7% from the field to start the series, SGA hit 11 of his 21 field goals Sunday. He also shot 11 of 12 from the free-throw line.

Thunder big man Chet Holmgren had a bounce-back performance as well, scoring 15 points.

The Pacers, on the other hand, couldn’t mount their umpteenth comeback of the postseason. Though Indiana has seemingly made a habit of overcoming big deficits, it trailed for the last 38 minutes and three seconds Sunday. The Pacers never led by more than three points.

Game 3 is in Indianapolis on Wednesday.

Source: NBC News