By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
With the Indiana Pacers looking to possibly secure another victory at home in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, eventually going up 3-1 in the series, Oklahoma City needed their leader to step up.
And Shai Gilgeous-Alexander did it, scoring 15 of his final 35 points in less than five minutes with the game on the line, dragging the Thunder to the 111-104 crucial win on the road in Indianapolis. He shot 12/24 from the field and 10/10 at the charity stripe.
“We played with desperation to end the game, and that’s why we won,” he commented after the win. “I just tried to be aggressive. I knew what it would’ve looked like if we didn’t win tonight,” he also said.
He was especially helped by Jalen Williams, who scored 27 points with 7 rebounds and 3 assists, and Chet Holmgren, who delivered 14 points and 15 rebounds. They combined for 17/17 at the line. Alex Caruso also added 20 points and 5 steals in the win.
“This kind of challenge is going to have extreme highs and extreme lows. This is a low right now and we’re going to have to bounce back from it,” Indiana Pacers’ head coach Rick Carlisle commented.
Pascal Siakam had an outstanding losing effort of 20 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 steals; he was joined by the team’s leader, Tyrese Haliburton, who had 18 points and 7 assists in Indiana’s defeat. The series will now move back to Oklahoma City, with the franchises tied at 2-2.
PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images