The Thunder phenomenon in Piazza 34 and, helped by Caruso and Wiggins, drags its own to a convenient success
Mission accomplished for the Thunder after the incredible debacle in the debut match of the NBA Finals 2025. Oklahoma City, in fact, plays his basketball, changes step at the end of the first quarter and keeps the Pacers at a safe distance, then going to win 123-107. It is 1-1, therefore, in a much more fought series than what many predicted on the eve. Gilgeous-Alexander plays once again from MVP, closes with 34 points, eight assists and four recoveries and thus drags its Thunders to a convenient success.
the game
–
Indiana begins without any fear, knowing she can play on velvet after the success in race-1, OKC for its part for the first minutes stammer and needs a steering that arrives with the entry into the field of the usual Caruso. The first basket of Haliburton gives guests the +3, Daigneault finally decides to deploy his two long together and the choice pays. Hartentein makes himself felt on a defensive level but above all Holmgren is exalted who signs seven consecutive points. The home team closes the first fraction with a partial of 9-0, running away to +6. McConnell tries to change direction to a match that seems to be bad for the Pacers but the Thunders do not collaborate at all. On the contrary. The impact from the Wiggins bench at the opening of a second quarter is devastating, OKC so also with the SGA to take breath begins to grind in attack. The change of pace that the house audience waited comes punctually with the Thunders who produce their best basketball and begin the second fraction with a 26-9 that pushes them to +23. Indiana, however, made it clear in these playoffs to be decidedly hard to die and even at the most complex moment it does not lose the compass and with a quick 10-0 he returns to the match. A couple of games by Gilgeous-Alexander rekindle the Paycom Center, Oklahoma City puts herself defending with discipline and closes growing, thus going to the changing rooms forward 59-41.
Haliburton in difficulty
–
Indiana after scoring 45 points in the first half of race-1, marked by too many balls lost, even marks less in the second match of the series with a Haliburton in difficulty that closes the first two quarters with 1/5 from the field (with two turnover) for only three points. In attack things are better for the Pacers at the beginning of the third quarter with a decidedly aggressive and finally precise Turner. The problem for the guest team, however, comes from the fact that this time OKC has no empty steps on an offensive level. Indiana tries to return to the wake and arrives at a -13 which, considering the comeback of the race -1, of course it cannot make the house fans feel calm, however Caruso thinks about it with five consecutive points to return the Pacers behind. Haliburton shows no great aggression and the Thunder in addition to the SGA games also find the baskets of Jalen Williams and the production of an excellent Wiggins.
domain
–
The hosts close the third fraction forward of 19 lengths and not even Haliburton’s accelerate at the beginning of the fourth period puts them in difficulty. Gilgeous-Alexander does not remove the foot from the accelerator, bringing the Thunders back to +22 to 5’50 ” from the siren that puts them safe. Coach Carlisle waits for another minute then officially raises the white flag by inserting Furphy instead of a not brilliant Haliburton despite his 17 points. Oklahoma City so after the shock of race-1, he gets exactly what he wanted with a wide success in the second match of the series, drawing the accounts with the Finals who now move to Indianapolis for Race-3 (scheduled for Wednesday) and Race-4.
Oklahoma City: Gilgeous-Alexander 34 (10/17, 1/4, 11/12 tl), Caruso 20, Jal. Williams 19. Hinders: Hartentein 8. Assist: Gilgeous-Alexander 8.
Indiana: Haliburton 17 (4/5, 3/8), Turner 16, Siakam 15. Hatches: Siakam 7. Assist: McConnell, Haliburton 6.
© RESERVED REPRODUCTION