The Oklahoma City Thunder held off the Indiana Pacers in a 120-109 Game 5 win to take a 3-2 on the series.
Now, after a convincing win in Oklahoma City, the Thunder are just one win away from capturing their first NBA Championship since relocating from Seattle.
OKC was led by Jalen Williams, who went off for 40 points while shooting 14-25 from the field.
League MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added in 31 points and 10 assists in the hard-fought victory.
The Thunder’s offense matched the Pacers’ habit of making timely runs, answering each time with a run of their own.
But it was OKC’s defense that sealed the game by forcing turnovers late in the fourth quarter, helping to push the score further out of reach.
For the Pacers, they produced timely buckets and important stops, which kept the game close, something they’ve done the entire series. With this team, no lead is safe heading into the last period.
In the end, it wasn’t enough to overcome the Thunder’s dynamic duo or the defense of Although they fought hard to get back into the game and make it competitive, it wasn’t enough to overcome the Thunder’s duo or Alex Caruso’s defense.
The biggest concern for the Pacers in Game 6 is the health of their star point guard Tyrese Haliburton, whose calf injury hampered him in Game 5.
While he said he’ll be ready, he is a game-time decision.
If Haliburton can’t play in Game 6 in Indiana, many feel that the series will likely end Thursday night.
But the Pacers have proven the doubters wrong during the entire playoffs, and with the hometown crowd cheering them on, the series just might be headed to Game 7 in Oklahoma City.
