Philippines, 08 Jul 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Oklahoma Forces 2-2 Finals Series Tie, Starves Indiana for Point in 111-104 Win


PhilBoxing.com




In a reversal of roles, Oklahoma City Thunder finished strongly to post a 111-104 victory over Indiana Pacers to force a 2-2 NBA Finals series tie heading into the last three games.

The final three games will be played in Oklahoma, Indiana and if needed, again in Oklahoma as the Thunder hold the home advantage for their better season record.

League MVP Shai Gilgeous Alexander, haunted by Andrew Hembrand and the Pacers defense for three quarters, cut loose in the payoff period, especially in the last three minutes of the contest to power the Thunder to the win pulling away.

Limited to just 24 points in game three loss, Gilgeous Alexander hit a night high 35 points, the last 11 in the last three minutes of the game to trigger a 12-1 strong windup from a 103-102 deficit.

On the other hand, the Pacers fell into a maze of misses including from the free throw line where Bennedict Mathurin, the hero of the game three Pacers win could only buy a charity to account for his team's only point in the period.

With Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam as usual carrying the scoring load with some help from Obi Toppin, Aaron Nesmith and Nembhard himself, the Pacers were able to maintain the lead, though slim ones from the first three quarters. Indiana led at half time 60-57.

Reason for such was Oklahoma's own dedicated defense with the twin towers of Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hertenstein deterring any inside offense from Indiana and the Thunder perimeter defense disrupting every Pacer attempts from the outside, resulting to steals, interceptions and turnovers.

Making up for Gilgeous Alexander's initial difficulties on offense, Jalen Williams and Alex Caruso combined well with Holmgren in posing problems to Indiana on both ends.

Curiously this was the game where Indiana showed signs of faltering especially in the windup while Oklahoma in the overall displayed better pacing and rotation of players. These gave Gilgeous Alexander the energy to play very strongly in the end where OKC outscored Indiana in the final quarter, 35-19, a complete reversal from last game.

With that, Gilgeous Alexander again emerged as the best performer of the night with his 35 points though he had just 3 rebounds and no assists. Williams supported him with 27 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists. Caruso had 20 points aside from helping out in defense. Holmgren dominated with 14 points and night high 15 rebounds.

Siakam topped for Indiana with 20 points plus 8 rebounds. After a near triple last time out, Haliburton could only come out with 18 points, 3 rebounds and a team high 7 assists. Toppin again helped greatly with 17 points and 5 rebounds. Myles Turner had 12 points but just 2 rebounds. Hembrand contributed 10 points. However, Nesmith, Mathurin and TJ McConnel only posted 8 points each as coach Rick Carlisle sparingly used them.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Teodoro Medina Reynoso.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Hovhannisyan and Barrientes Set for High-Stakes Showdowns July 18 on DAZN
    , Tue, 08 Jul 2025
  • UNBEATEN PROSPECT KENNETH LLOVER TO FACE FORMER TWO-DIVISION CHAMPION LUIS CONCEPCION IN MANILA
    , Mon, 07 Jul 2025
  • Yoseline Perez Concludes World Boxing Cup Astana 2025 with Silver Medal
    , Mon, 07 Jul 2025
  • GM Gonzales finishes second in Penang Makruk chess meet, pockets silver medal
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 07 Jul 2025
  • THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 10 - ALI WINS OVER PATTERSON, EVADES VIETNAM WAR DRAFT
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Sun, 06 Jul 2025
  • Jack Catterall Defeats Harlem Eubank Via Technical Decision After Fight Stopped Early Due to Cuts
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 06 Jul 2025
  • Good Fortune for Manny
    By Joaquin Henson, , Sun, 06 Jul 2025
  • Rimar Metuda Bows to Kuntae Lee in Japan
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 06 Jul 2025
  • BA President Umar Kremlev makes heavyweight icon Tyson Fury an offer for ‘beautiful farewell fight’ for IBA heavyweight title
    , Sun, 06 Jul 2025
  • Yoseline Perez Advances to Gold Medal Bout at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    , Sun, 06 Jul 2025
  • Catterall vs Eubank: Jack’s Experience Gap Too Wide?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 05 Jul 2025
  • Morelle McCane Advances to Semifinals at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    , Sat, 05 Jul 2025
  • WEIGHTS FROM MANCHESTER: CATTERALL - 146.5 LBS., EUBANK - 146.5 LBS.
    , Sat, 05 Jul 2025
  • Vincent Astrolabio in LA training alongside Manny Pacquiao
    By Ace Freeman, , Sat, 05 Jul 2025
  • Jason Sanchez Upsets Previously Undefeated Julian Gonzalez in Philly
    , Sat, 05 Jul 2025
  • Meatball Launches Boxing Career With Matchroom
    , Sat, 05 Jul 2025
  • The Queens of Philippine Boxing are Training in Cebu
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 04 Jul 2025
  • Raising the Game: Jean Henri Lhuillier’s Unmatched Impact on Philippine Tennis
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 04 Jul 2025
  • GM Eugene Torre to grace the Asenso Ozamis Open Chess Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 04 Jul 2025
  • The Second Rise of Jesse Espinas
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 04 Jul 2025
  • Boxing Golden Age Comparison - Philippines and Japan
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Fri, 04 Jul 2025
  • Kittipong, Magdalena, Kim, Kritiphak Claim Wins in Brico Santig's Show in Bangkok
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 04 Jul 2025
  • Kremlev, Crawford, Fury Launch IBA's Golden Era of International Boxing
    , Fri, 04 Jul 2025
  • International Master Angelo Young stays on course for GM norm
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 04 Jul 2025
  • Robby Gonzales and Yoseline Perez Progress to Semifinals at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    , Fri, 04 Jul 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.