The Indiana Pacers pulled off an amazing comeback on Thursday behind a last-second shot from star point guard Tyrese Haliburton to win Game 1 of the NBA Finals at Oklahoma City by a score of 111-110.
As can be expected, the game started very sloppy. After all … There are only three players on either roster that have any NBA Finals experience. Those players are Thomas Bryant and Pascal Siakam for the Pacers, and Alex Caruso for the Thunder.
Oklahoma City went on an early 7-0 run to start the game after a few turnovers by the Pacers. Head coach Rick Carlisle told the Pacers during a timeout that they cannot drive into traffic against the Thunder.
But …
The Pacers continued to do so, and ended up committing 11 turnovers in the first quarter, totaling more turnovers than made field goals. The Thunder also came out shooting the ball well, shooting 40% from three and 50% from the floor in the first quarter.
The Pacers have been the best three-point shooting team in the playoffs this year. This, along with winning the rebound battle, would ultimately be what would keep the game as close as it was. After they committed an abysmal 18 turnovers, they wound up shooting 42% from three.
Luguentz Dort for the Thunder started to heat up late in the quarter, and push the Thunder lead out even further. At the end of the first half, the Thunder led 57-45, behind 19 from the reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
The third quarter started with both teams trading baskets. The Thunder turned up the defensive pressure, but Indiana would respond with better ball security than in the first half. Dort picked up where he left off, staying hot from the three-point line. The Pacers continued to be aggressive and attack the rim. At the end of the third, the Thunder lead would be cut to nine, with a score of 85-76, after a clutch three from Gilgeous-Alexander.
Benedict Mathurin continued to attack the rim for the Pacers, scoring a few early buckets, however, the Thunder would answer with buckets of their own, keeping the lead at 13 points. Myles Turner would also find a hot streak, hitting two threes in the quarter. Pascal Siakam would miss both free throws later in the quarter.
With two minutes left, the Pacers cut the lead to 3. The Pacers went on a 10-2 run to cut the league to a one-point game. It would come down to a clutch shot by Haliburton to take the wind out of the arena.
And …
Haliburton (14 points, 10 rebounds, six assists) comes through as he has all postseason.
The Pacers were led in scoring by Pascal Siakam with 19 points and Obi Toppin would chip in 17 off of the bench.
And in the end? If Game 1 is any indication? Game 2 should prove to be an electric atmosphere on Sunday.