The match between the two longest winning streaks lived up to its promise. The Pacers have long believed they could bring down the West leader, the Thunder. But that was without counting on a Shai Gilgeous-Alexander great evenings. It took no less to overthrow an Indiana team finally upright this season.
The Pacers got off to the best start with a 13-2 start, driven by the outside success of Pascal Siakam, 3/3 at 3-points in less than 90 seconds! The Thunder are unrecognizable, offensively speechless with two baskets scored only halfway through the first quarter. Mark Daigneault may take his timeouts, but nothing helps and the gap even climbs to +15 for the locals (22-7).
The only bad news for Indiana was Obi Toppin's sprained ankle in the first quarter. A small setback for Rick Carlisle's men, quickly revived by the poster of the former Knick's replacement, Jarace Walker, who came to crush Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to maintain a double-digit gap after 12 minutes.
55 rating for Gilgeous-Alexander!
There is, however, a little better for Oklahoma City. This is called “SGA”. He alone scored as many baskets in the last six minutes of the first period as the entire Thunder combined in the first quarter and with a perfect 7/7! Unleashed, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, however, finds a response with his compatriots Bennedict Mathurin, then Andrew Nembhard opposite. To the visitors' star's 16 points, the Canadian duo of the Pacers responded with 22 points to maintain the lead at eight lengths at rest (61-53).
Too discreet until then, OKC's defense wakes up. Or the Pacers fall back into their little ways of leaving balls on the way, it depends. And even if Jalen Williams is watering, the Thunder finds in his trio with Lu Dort and Gilgeous-Alexander enough offensive solutions to catch up.
With the two teams now back to back, everything will come down to money time. Indiana took a six-point lead for a moment, but the Thunder immediately responded with a 10-1 lead. The visitors' plan is simple but very effective: take advantage of the defensive largesse to play one-on-one and go for easy points with throws. Oklahoma City is perfect in the exercise at 10/10 in the last two minutes, including 6/6 for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. As an absolute boss, “SGA” kills the match with a big 3-point shot off the dribble one minute from the end to seal the victory for his team, 114-120.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, MVP caliber. The Canadian is sometimes criticized for his “lack” of strong performances and statistical surges. Here's one. The performance of “SGA” was fantastic to carry his team in the last three quarters. After starting at 2/8 after 12 minutes, he followed up with a 16/17 shooting! He finished with an equal career record, at 45 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 blocks.
– Tyrese Haliburton inside, the Pacers have something to answer for. Despite a terribly discreet match from their leader (4 points to 2/6), Indiana was able to regain part of its offensive strike force with six players with more than 10 points. Andrew Nembhard had his best outing of the season, and Jarace Walker answered the call after Obi Toppin's injury. Failing so narrowly against a team of this caliber despite a non-match from Tyrese Haliburton can ultimately almost be seen as good news.
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How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
