Pacers counterattacked the Thunder, Mathurin shone 27 points in the whole game!

At 2:11 am ET on June 12, the Indiana Pacers defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 116-107 at home, rewriting the NBA Finals' total score to 2-1. The victory not only gave the Pacers an edge in the series, but also allowed fans to witness the rise of a new star - Benedict Mathurin.

Set the stage: The key third game

On a stage like the NBA Finals, every game is crucial. The first two games were won by one, and the significance of the third game was self-evident. For the Pacers, home play is a big advantage and they need to use this opportunity to regain the initiative. For the Thunder, the pressure of away games should not be underestimated. Whoever can gain the upper hand in this critical game will be likely to take the initiative in the next game.

Mathurin: The unexpected hero

Benedict Mathurin performed well in the third game, with a substitute scored a game-high 27 points, and his efficient performance on 12 of 9 shots was impressive. Not only did he perform well on the offensive end, he also stabilized the team's pace at critical moments. In the fourth quarter, Mathurin contributed 10 points, including several key free throws, helping the Pacers secure the victory.

teammates Tyreth Halliburton and Miles Turner praised Mathurin's performance. Halliburton said: "Mathurin is great, he has made key performances time and time again." Turner said: "This kid has been waiting for this moment."

Bench depth: The key for the Pacers In addition to Mathurin, the Pacers' bench players also played an important role. Veteran T.J. McConnell contributed 10 points, 5 assists and 5 steals in just 15 minutes, and his vitality and experience injected strong momentum into the team. Mathurin and McConnell jointly contributed 37 points, surpassing the entire Thunder team's bench score.

Match Dynamics: How the Pacers win

Pacers performed particularly well in the fourth quarter, and they suppressed the Thunder with a score of 100-73 in this critical period. This continuous explosive power in the last quarter is a major advantage for the Pacers. At the last moment of the game, a key block from Miles Turner secured the victory for the team.

Thunder's dilemma: turnovers and missed opportunities

The Thunder made 19 mistakes in the game, which had a serious impact on their offense. The Pacers' defensive strategy was very successful, limiting the Thunder's shooting percentage, bringing it to only 46.8%. The Thunder's main players seemed a little helpless when facing the Pacers' tight defense and ultimately failed to turn the situation around.

Looking forward: The direction of the series

As the Pacers won in the third game, they took a good spot in the series. The Thunder need to make adjustments in the next game, otherwise they may face greater difficulties. Can the Pacers continue to maintain this momentum and eventually win the championship? Let's wait and see.

Conclusion

Benedict Mathurin's outbreak and the outstanding performance of the Pacers' bench players made them a key victory in the third game. If they can continue to maintain that, the Pacers are getting closer to their goal of winning the NBA championship for the first time.