RealGM

The Indiana Pacers overwhelmed the Oklahoma City Thunder 108-91 in Game 6 on Thursday night, forcing the NBA Finals to a decisive seventh game. Tyrese Haliburton played through a strained calf injury while Pascal Siakam delivered a crucial double-double performance.

The victory marked the most lopsided win by either team in the series. Game 7 will be played Sunday night in Oklahoma City, marking the first Finals Game 7 since 2016 when the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Golden State Warriors.

Haliburton was cleared to play Thursday afternoon after consulting with team doctors about his calf strain. He missed his first three shots before connecting on a deep three-pointer in the first quarter. Haliburton finished with 14 points despite the injury concerns and was far more aggressive and effective than he was in Game 5..

Siakam recorded 16 points and 13 rebounds in his second double-double of the Finals. Obi Toppin led Indiana's scoring with 20 points, while Andrew Nembhard added 17 points in the balanced attack. TJ McConnell provided his usual spark off the bench with 12 points, nine rebounds and six assists tilting the game for the Pacers in the second quarter.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander endured a difficult night with 21 points on 7-of-15 shooting and eight turnovers. The eight turnovers tied a career-high and matched the most in a Finals game over the past 40 years.

Jalen Williams contributed 16 points for Oklahoma City, but was a -40 in the game after scoring a remarkable 40 points in Game 5. The Thunder pulled their starters after falling behind by 30 points entering the fourth quarter.

"It's a one-game series now," said Haliburton. "And, man, we believe. We have a lot of faith in this group. Game 7 NBA Finals. What more can you ask for?" 

Indiana missed its first eight shots and trailed 10-2 early before completely turning the game around. The Pacers outscored the Thunder 68-32 over a crucial 24-minute stretch spanning the first and second quarters.

Home teams hold a 15-4 record in NBA Finals Game 7s, providing Oklahoma City with a historical advantage. The Thunder will need to rebound from their most disjointed playoff performance when they host Game 7 on Sunday. 

Via RealGM Staff Report

Good job refs, same fouls in game 5 were a non-call in game 6. Not taking anything away from Indy but clearly the game and now series will be decided by the morning refs meeting, not the actual game.

Let’s juice up game 7 ratings for the expansion buy-ins guys!

BigHustle wrote:Good job refs, same fouls in game 5 were a non-call in game 6. Not taking anything away from Indy but clearly the game and now series will be decided by the morning refs meeting, not the actual game.

Let’s juice up game 7 ratings for the expansion buy-ins guys!

Man oh man don’t you guys ever get tired of complaining about the refs? If any of yall actually reffed a game of basketball in your lives you would see how hard it is to catch EVERY SINGLE INFRACTION. Humanoid robots can’t come soon enough to replace refs so I can stop seeing you casuals constantly complain about apart of the game.

Absolutely horrendous game by the Thunder. You’re up 3-2 and you come in with no energy. Embarrassing. If they lose the series it’s on them.

I don't know if anyone can blame refs for OKC losing game 6, OKC didn't score after halftime till after midway through the 3rd quarter. Their 91 points seem to indicate the cause of loss, not a game that came down to free throws at the end which is what happened in game 4. Pacer fans like myself could cry about OKC favored called at the end of game 4...

BurningRome wrote:I don't know if anyone can blame refs for OKC losing game 6, OKC didn't score after halftime till after midway through the 3rd quarter. Their 91 points seem to indicate the cause of loss, not a game that came down to free throws at the end which is what happened in game 4. Pacer fans like myself could cry about OKC favored called at the end of game 4...

Or all series long.