THE Oklahoma City Thunder started strong anew but there was no endgame collapse this time as they pummeled the Indiana Pacers, 123-107, in Game 2 of the NBA Finals on Monday (Philippine time), June 9.

Bouncing back from a painful 110-111 loss Game 1, the Thunder evened the series at one-game apiece with Game 3 slated on Thursday, June 12, in Indiana.

The Thunder could have easily gone up two-to-nil in the series had it not been for their Game 1 hiccup that saw them squander a 15-point fourth-quarter lead and nine-point cushion in the final three minutes.

Tyrese Haliburton completed Indiana’s Game 1 comeback by sinking a long jumper with 0.3 seconds left.

The start of Games 1 and 2 was similar but the ending was different as the Thunder did not look back after opening a double-digit cushion in the second

period.

It was a total domination by the Thunder, who started taking control after erecting a 33-23 lead at the 10:24 mark of the second quarter. Oklahoma led by 18 at the half and padded the advantage to as many as 23 in the final two quarters.

Oklahoma also had a double-digit after the first half in Game 1, 57-45.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander once again led the Thunder with 34 points while reserve Alex Caruso pitched in 20. Jalen Williams, Aaron Wiggins, and Chet Holmgren also scored in double figures for the Thunder with 19, 18, and 15, respectively.

The Pacers’ starters all scored in double figures and two reserves also hit twin digits but the balanced attack proved not enough to give the squad what could have been a critical 2-0 series lead going into Game 3.

Haliburton led the Pacers with 17 points but had five turnovers.(CCM)

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