By TIM REYNOLDS
INDIANAPOLIS — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 15 of his 35 factors within the fourth quarter, and the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder rallied from a 10-point, second-half deficit to beat the Indiana Pacers 111-104 on Friday night time and tie the NBA Finals at two video games apiece.
Jalen Williams added 27, Alex Caruso had 20 and Chet Holmgren completed with 14 factors and 15 rebounds for the Thunder. They did it the laborious approach — with a season-low three 3-pointers, and no assists from Gilgeous-Alexander for the primary time all season.
Pascal Siakam scored 20 for Indiana, which obtained 18 from Tyrese Haliburton and 17 from Obi Toppin.
Sport 5 of the sequence — now primarily a best-of-three — is at Oklahoma Metropolis on Monday night time, with the Thunder now having reclaimed home-court benefit.
And the Thunder principally saved their practical likelihood at successful the title. Groups with a 3-1 sequence lead within the NBA Finals have gone on to win the championship 37 occasions in 38 previous possibilities. The Pacers regarded effectively on their solution to being the thirty ninth group with such an edge, earlier than the Thunder discovered their sport within the nick of time.
The MVP led the way in which, too. Gilgeous-Alexander had 9 straight factors down the stretch because the Thunder took management.
The Pacers got here out flying, scoring 20 factors within the first 4:59 – solely the second time all season the Thunder gave up so many so rapidly. They led by as many as 9 early, however had been unable to drag away.
And issues obtained chippy for the primary time within the sequence: Toppin was referred to as for a Flagrant 1 on Caruso halfway by the second quarter, then Toppin was the recipient of a Flagrant 1 from Lu Dort simply earlier than the half. The Pacers closed on a 15-6 run, taking a 60-57 lead into the break.
Toppin’s baseline dunk late within the third put Indiana up 86-76, its first double-digit lead of the sequence coming late within the fifteenth quarter of the sequence. Again got here OKC: A 13-3 run tied the sport early within the fourth at 89, the primary of a handful of these down the stretch.
Tied at 91. Tied at 95. Tied at 97.
And, lastly, the lead: Gilgeous-Alexander’s step-back with 2:23 left put the Thunder up 104-103, their first lead of the second half. They saved it the remainder of the way in which.
