Oklahoma City Thunder face Indiana Pacers with chance to win first NBA Finals since 1979
- Chas Post
- 6 minutes ago
- 2 min read
The Oklahoma City Thunder face the Indiana Pacers with a chance to capture the franchise’s first championship since 1979 in Game 6 of the NBA Finals on Thursday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. According to FanDuel, the Thunder are 6.5-point favorites over the Pacers prior to Game 6.
Coming off a resounding win over Indiana in Game 5, Oklahoma City is on the brink of securing the second title in franchise history. Jalen Williams was remarkable in the Game 5 win, posting a playoff career-high 40 points and six rebounds to power the Thunder to a 3-2 series lead.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander could become the 11th player in NBA history and first since 2013 to take home MVP and Finals MVP in the same season. The Thunder star guard has been phenomenal, putting up 32.4 points, 5.0 assists and 2.4 steals per game in his first appearance in the Finals.
The Pacers will try to force a Game 7 but it won't be easy since Tyrese Haliburton is questionable with a strained calf. Haliburton has been the catalyst during their historic run to the Finals, putting together one of the clutchest playoffs in NBA history, so his current status certainly looms large.
Thunder stats leaders
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 32.4 points, 5.0 assists
Jalen Williams: 25.8 points, 5.6 rebounds
Chet Holmgren: 12.8 points, 9.6 rebounds
Alex Caruso: 12.2 points, 2.8 steals
Lu Dort: 9.0 points, 4.2 rebounds
Pacers stats leaders
Pascal Siakam: 20.6 points, 7.4 rebounds
Tyrese Halliburton: 15.0 points, 7.2 assists
Myles Turner: 13.0 points, 1.6 blocks
Bennedict Mathurin: 12.2 points, 3.8 rebounds
Andrew Nembhard: 10.0 points, 3.2 assists
NBA Finals schedule
Game 1: Pacers 111-110
Game 2: Thunder 123-107
Game 3: Pacers 116-107
Game 4: Thunder 111-104
Game 5: Thunder 120-109
Game 6: June 19
Game 7: June 22
