Indiana Pacers trail 3-2 in NBA Finals after Game 5 loss to Thunder

OKLAHOMA CITY - The Indiana Pacers' championship hopes are dwindling after a tough 120-109 loss in Game 5 of the NBA Finals. The loss puts the Pacers behind 3-2 in the best-of-seven series, setting up a win-or-go-home Game 6 in Indianapolis.




Having split the first four games, the Pacers aimed to steal a second road win in Oklahoma City and take command of the NBA Finals. After coming out of halftime down by 14, the Pacers came back in the second half, cutting the deficit to just 2 points thanks to big performances by T.J. McConnell and Pascal Siakam. Tyrese Haliburton struggled in Game 5, finishing with only 4 points.




The Thunder leaned on Jalen Williams, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and their home crowd to grind out a win. Williams finished with 40 points and the reigning MVP scored 31.




Game 6 will be the most important game the Pacers franchise has played in more than two decades. It tips off Thursday at 8:30 p.m. at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. A win would force a decisive Game 7 back in Oklahoma City on Sunday. A loss would end a remarkable postseason run that has captivated all of Indiana.




This marks the 32nd time that a finals has been 2-2 going into Game 5. The winner of Game 5 has gone on to ultimately prevail in 23 of the 31 previous occasions. The Pacers had not lost back-to-back games since mid-March.





via: https://fox59.com/sports/indiana-pacers-trail-3-2-in-nba-finals-after-game-5-loss-to-thunder/