House backups lead to demolition, Pacers secure 2-1 lead in Finals
Indy Fuckin' Pacers Take the Lead in Finals!
Yo, the Pacers slapped the Thunder around in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, snatching a 116-107 victory and establishing a 2-1 series lead. Backup studs Bennedict Mathurin and T.J. McConnell raised all sorts of hell from the bench, raking in a combined 49 points!
Mathurin went wild with 27 points, while McConnell, that point guard dynamo, sent the Pacers faithful into a frenzy with his pyrotechnics. With the Pacers yet to taste back-to-back losses since December, they're looking mighty fine.
Tyrese Haliburton dazzled with 22 points, 11 assists, and 9 rebounds, while Pascal Siakam tossed in 21 points. The Pacers, rulers of the court, are finding their rhythm as they continue to stake their claim for the championship.
Jalen Williams topped the Thunder with 26 points, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander managed 24. Despite Chet Holmgren's 20 points and 10 rebounds, Oklahoma City couldn't quite keep up.
Next up? Thursday's showdown is in Indy.
With the score sitting at 110-102 and the clock ticking down, Alex Caruso tried a tricky move to keep the Thunder's celebrations on ice. Caruso charged into the open court, but the malicious Aaron Nesmith crashed into him like a lumbering giant, preventing the shot and sending Caruso sprawling. The refs, in their infinite wisdom, didn't call a flagrant foul, leaving T-town faithful scratching their heads.
Caruso shaking things off, drained a couple of freebies to cut the lead to four. Turner, with his performance thus far a shadow of his abilities, managed to find some redemption, blocking Holmgren twice in rapid succession, cementing the Pacers' advantage.
Indiana held steadfast, with Siakam topping things off with an easy bucket to make it 112-104 with just over a minute remaining. McConnell, that ever-present force, was std in the paint, denying the Thunder's advancement.
McConnell, the assists king of the NBA reserves, pulled off some incredible defensive plays all game long. He snatched a bullet pass off Caruso, tossed in a layup to tie the game up at 95, and he even helped the Pacers take the lead with a trey from Mathurin and a couple of buckets down the stretch.
Oklahoma City managed to build their highest second-half lead - 89-84 - at the close of the third quarter, but the Pacers refused to go gently. Williams, who played most of the game with the ball in his hands, couldn't quite keep Gilgeous-Alexander at bay.
Now, let's talk about McConnell, ladies and gents. This cat's got finesse, and not just his dribbling skills. He's currently leading NBA reserves in assists per game in the playoffs with a slick 4.1 average.
Keep an eye on these two, as the Finals continue to unfold, 'cause if they keep up this kind of performance, the Pacers are gonna go all the way!
The Pacers, with T.J. McConnell and Bennedict Mathurin's outstanding bench contributions, are finding their rhythm in the NBA Finals, playing basketball and aiming to make a statement in their quest for the championship. Tonight, McConnell leads NBA reserves in assists per game in the playoffs, showcasing his finesse on the court and playing a crucial role in securing the series lead.
