The Indiana Pacers bounced back from their game-two defeat with a 116-107 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night, seizing a 2-1 lead in the NBA Finals.
Bennedict Mathurin came off the bench to score 27 points, while Tyrese Haliburton added 22 as the Pacers responded in front of their home crowd at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
A tightly contested clash saw nine lead changes before Indiana dominated the fourth quarter, outscoring the Thunder 32-18 to seal the victory.
“It’s a big win for us,” Haliburton said. “We love playing in front of our fans. They deserve high-stakes, high-level basketball and we’re giving them that.”
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 24 points, while Jalen Williams top-scored for the visitors with 26.
Game four is set for Friday in Indianapolis, where the Pacers will aim to move within one win of their first-ever NBA championship.
