For the first time since 2016, there will be a Game 7 in the NBA Finals. The Indiana Pacers on Thursday dismantled the Oklahoma City Thunder, 108-91, to even the series.
It was the best Indiana had played in the series, and it was alarming how poor OKC looked in a closeout game. Here are five takeaways from Game 6.
1. The Pacers played their best basketball of the series
With their backs against the wall, the Pacers needed a strong start. They got that and more. OKC opened on a 10-2 run, but the rest of the game belonged to Indiana. The Pacers built a 22-point lead by the half thanks to a 30-9 run in the second quarter.
They forced 12 Thunder turnovers and only committed two in the first half. Indiana’s defense swarmed OKC, limiting the Thunder to just 17 points in the second quarter. Halftime did nothing to slow Indiana down as it held OKC to 18 points in the third. OKC’s 60 points through three quarters was its fewest this season.
On the other end, the Pacers shared the ball and had six players with 10 points or more. OKC had no answers for Indiana on either end of the floor.
