Thunder beat Pacers in Game 4 of NBA Finals, even series 2-2

INDIANAPOLIS - The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Indiana Pacers 111-104 in Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Friday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.




The Thunder beat the Pacers thanks to a dominant fourth-quarter performance by NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He led all scorers with 35 points and also recorded three assists in what was a dominant second-half performance.




Gilgeous-Alexander led the way for the Thunder as the two teams fought a closely contested game. The Pacers managed to restrict the MVP's offensive game early on, limiting him to 10 free throw attempts and 12-24 shooting from the field.




Forward Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 20 points, eight rebounds, and a season-high five steals. All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton also posted 18 points, seven assists and two rebounds.




The game got off to a thunderous start as the Pacers led 35-34 in the first quarter thanks to efficient scoring by Pascal Siakam and four steals. Oklahoma City responded by going on a 9-0 run to reduce the early lead.




The back-and-forth nature of the game continued as the second quarter got underway. The Pacers found themselves down by three points with a little over three minutes remaining in the quarter as Obi Toppin was called for a flagrant foul for knocking over Alex Caruso while he attempted a layup.




The Pacers led the game at halftime by a score of 60-57. Guard Jalen Williams led all scorers with 16 points heading into halftime. The Pacers continued their thunderous momentum by outscoring Oklahoma City 11-7 early in the third quarter.




Thanks to a pair of Obi Toppin 3-pointers, the Pacers managed to reach an eight-point lead with 4:11 left in the third quarter. As the game progressed to the opening minutes of the fourth quarter, the Thunder managed to cut the lead to three points.




Oklahoma City recorded its first lead in the second half with 2:15 remaining in the fourth quarter. The game was ultimately decided by free throws as Gilgeous-Alexander converted a pair with 44 seconds remaining in the game. Bennedict Mathurin then missed two free throws for the Pacers with 23 seconds left in the game.




The victory means the series is now tied 2-2. The Pacers and Thunder will head to Oklahoma City for Game 5 on Monday, June 16. Tipoff is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. at Paycom Center.





via: https://fox59.com/sports/thunder-beat-pacers-in-game-4-of-nba-finals-even-series-2-2/