At the Buzzer: R4G2 — Thunder 123, Pacers 107 | OKC Responds
The OKC Thunder led by double digits most of the game, got the win to even the series at 1-1. Now it shifts to Indy with Game 3 on Wednesday.
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Indiana Pacers are a mature group. They’re a connected group. And they’re a group that does’t let outside noise inside their walls.
They entered Game 2 of the NBA Finals with a 7-0 record this postseason in Games 1 and 2 of each series — looking to make it 8-0.
This is a process-oriented team, not one driven by results. It’s one day at a time, one quarter at a time, one play at a time.
Their early-series success speaks to preparation and professionalism.
“I'm not interested in talking about the past,” Rick Carlisle said of the success. “Each day, as you are on a playoff run, is like a new day. I find that looking back is a dangerous thing. We've got to keep our eye firmly where it needs to be, which is on now and the next thing.
“And so, you know, this all comes down to us trying to execute what we do a little better than them doing what they do. So it's challenging.”
In other words: OKC is going to be ready — so they’ve got to be, too.
The game officials were Zach Zarba, James Williams, Ben Taylor, and Kevin Scott (alternate).
Did you know OKC has an invocation before the National Anthem? They’re the only team in the league to do so — and they ended it with a big “amen!” from the crowd.
Carlisle pregame on forward Jarace Walker, who is on crutches due to a right ankle sprain: “He's doing better but he's not close to playing.”
The ESPN announcing crew — for the entire series: Mike Breen, Doris Burke, Richard Jefferson, and Jorge Sedano. He moved over from sideline ESPN Radio as Lisa Salters is away due to personal reasons. Her mother has been sick for eight months. She’s married to Fever head coach Stephanie White, who did not coach the team Saturday in Chicago.
Sports books favored the Thunder by 11.5 points.
Watch my live postgame show in the media player below:
🏀How it happened: The Thunder, who won 68 regular-season games, avoided losing back-to-back games for the first time this postseason. They outscored the Pacers in each of the first three quarters, got a casual 34 points from MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and their stifling defense bothered the Pacers for much of the game.
The Pacers suffered a 123-107 loss, trailing by as many as 23 points. Until garbage time, their bench was outscored 39-15 — including two OKC reserves that outscored the Pacers’ bench by themselves. They failed to match their physicality and play with the disposition necessary on this stage.