Source : ABC NEWS
Tyrese Haliburton scored with 0.3 seconds left for Indiana’s first and only lead of the game and the Pacers, the last-minute comeback kings of these playoffs, did it again to beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 111-110 in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
The Pacers were down by 15 with 9:42 left, matching the biggest fourth-quarter comeback in a finals game since Dallas came from 15 down to beat Miami in Game 2 of the 2011 Finals.
The coach of those Mavericks: Rick Carlisle. The coach of these Pacers: Rick Carlisle.
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It was the fifth time in Haliburton’s career where he has made a game-tying or go-ahead field goal in the final five seconds of a playoff game, with four of those coming in this post-season alone. Since 1997, only LeBron James (eight) has more shots in the same situation.
And once again, Indiana found a way at the end in these playoffs. In the Game 5 of the first round series against the Bucks, the Pacers 118-111 with 34.6 seconds left in overtime and won 119-118. In Game 2 of the second round series against the Cavaliers, Indiana trailed 119-112 with 48 seconds left and won 120-119. Then in the Eastern Conference Finals opener against the Knicks, they trailed 121-112 with 51.1 seconds left in regulation and won 138-135 in overtime.
Pascal Siakam led the Pacers with 19 points. Obi Toppin scored 17, Myles Turner had 15, and Haliburton and Andrew Nembhard each had 14.
League MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led all scorers with 38 for Oklahoma City, which was 36-1 at home with 15-point leads this season.
Game 2 is in Oklahoma City on Monday morning
Oklahoma City led by 15 early in the fourth when Carlisle called time and subbed out all five players, seeking a spark. It worked. The Pacers outscored the Thunder 15-4 over the next 3:26 — getting within 98-94 on a made three-pointer by Turner with 6:16 left.
They never stopped, all the way to the end.
AP/ABC
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