Game 1 of a NBA Finals series is often unpredictable because of a confluence of factors: extended rest, new schemes, sneaky tweaks and complacency.
Back in 2000-01, the Los Angeles Lakers were a juggernaut with Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal. They swept all three series heading into the finals, but Allen Iverson dropped 48 points on a whopping 41 shots, leading the Philadelphia 76ers to the Game 1 upset. The Lakers restored order very quickly and won the next four games for the championship.
The 2024-05 Indiana Pacers are more well-regarded than that 76ers team, but this year’s Oklahoma City Thunder was highly thought of, with a historic defense and the league’s MVP in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. And OKC controlled most of Game 1.
But the Pacers gutted out the one-point win with 0.3 seconds left to stun Oklahoma City and the hoops universe.
Could order be restored in OKC?
DraftKings Sportsbook had the Thunder favored by 11.5 points before the tip-off of Game 2 and the Thunder came out focused from the get-go, winning the first quarter, 26-20, then taking the second quarter, 33-21, to go into halftime with an 18-point lead.
The Thunder shot 50% from the field while holding the Pacers to 34.%. OKC grabbed four more rebounds and scored 12 more points in the paint.
Both teams came out of the locker room primed and poised. After scoring 20 and 21 points in the first two quarters, Indiana was able to get humming with 33 points. The Thunder responded with 34 points themselves.
There was no comeback for Indiana on Sunday, though, as the Thunder thwarted all Pacers runs and cruised to the 123-107 win.
OKC made 10 more free throws, grabbed eight more rebounds and had eight more points in the paint. The rest of the stats were similar, yet the game was never that close.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($12,400; 61.75 FPTS) was simply marvelous, putting up 34 points, five rebounds, eight assists, a block and four steals. He shot 11-of-21 from the field, 1-of-4 from downtown and 11-of-12 from the line.
Chet Holmgren ($8,000; 25.5 FPTS) played much better than in Game 1, shooting 6-of-11 from the field for 15 points, six rebounds, an assist and a block in 28 minutes.
It was the bench that was key, though, especially:
Aaron Wiggins ($1,600; 28.5 FPTS) played 10 minutes in Game 1, producing three points and a steal. In Game 2, he went 6-of-11 from the field and 5-of-8 from downtown for 18 points, four rebounds, an assist and a steal in 21 minutes.
Alex Caruso ($5,800; 26.25 FPTS) only played 27 minutes but contributed 20 points, three rebounds and an assist. He drilled 4-of-8 from beyond the arc.
For Indiana:
Tyrese Haliburton ($11,200; 36.75 FPTS) started off slowly but finished with 17 points, three rebounds, six assists, two blocks and two steals. He shot 7-of-13 from the field and 3-of-8 from downtown. He scored 12 points in the fourth quarter.
Seven Pacers scored in double figures but no player scored more than 17 points.
Pascal Siakam ($9,600; 33.25 FPTS) struggled on the offensive end, converting only 3-of-11 shots, with 1-of-4 from downtown. He did get to the line nine times, making eight. Siakam finished with 15 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two blocks.
T. J. McConnell ($3,600; 28.25 FPTS) only played 18 minutes but produced 11 points, three rebounds, six assists and two steals.
Bennedict Mathurin ($3,000; 17.5 FPTS) had 14 points, two rebounds and an assist in 22 minutes.
With the series tied at 1-1, Game 3 will be in Indiana on Wednesday.
