Thunder Roar Back to Level NBA Finals as Gilgeous-Alexander Shines in Game 2
The Oklahoma City Thunder delivered the perfect response to their Game 1 heartbreaker, powering past the Indiana Pacers 123-107 to tie the NBA Finals at 1-1 on Sunday night at Paycom Center. It was a resounding statement performance from Mark Daigneault’s squad, led once again by the sensational Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Just days after Tyrese Haliburton’s buzzer-beater stunned the Thunder in Game 1, Oklahoma City flipped the script entirely—this time dictating the pace from the opening tip and never allowing the Pacers to claw their way back into the contest. In front of a raucous home crowd, the Thunder looked like a team possessed.
Gilgeous-Alexander, crowned the league’s Most Valuable Player earlier this postseason, once again proved why he’s the heartbeat of this young Thunder team. His 34 points, five rebounds, and eight assists anchored a performance full of poise, precision, and controlled aggression. His first basket of the evening also saw him reach 3,000 points for the season—a rare feat that places him among only a dozen players in NBA history.
Total Team Effort from Thunder
While Shai was the driving force, Game 2’s victory was anything but a one-man show. Jalen Williams contributed 19 points, and Aaron Wiggins dropped an efficient 18 off the bench. Rookie standout Chet Holmgren bounced back from a lacklustre Game 1 by adding 15 points and six rebounds, proving he could hold his own under Finals pressure.
Defensively, the Thunder were significantly more organised and urgent, applying early pressure and forcing Indiana to fight for every look. They corrected their Game 1 mistakes—most notably by capitalising on turnovers and reducing their own to manageable levels. Unlike Thursday’s missed opportunities, this time the Thunder delivered the knockout blows.
Pacers Struggle to Match OKC’s Intensity
For Indiana, Game 2 was a sobering reminder that margins at this level are razor-thin. Despite seeing seven players score in double digits—including Myles Turner (16 points) and Pascal Siakam (15)—the Pacers never seemed to find their rhythm offensively.
Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana’s architect in Game 1, was held to a modest 17 points, adding just three rebounds and six assists. His impact was stifled by the Thunder’s relentless switching and aggressive traps. A slight limp during his postgame exit hinted at possible concern ahead of Game 3, when the series shifts to Indianapolis for the first Finals game in the city in 25 years.
Yet, even in defeat, the Pacers know they’re not outmatched. As Haliburton put it postgame: “It’s still a race – first to four.” A 1-1 series scoreline means the Finals are still wide open.
Betting Tips Review: Hits, Misses, and Close Calls
Our pre-match betting preview over at America Bet forecasted a confident Thunder bounce-back—and those who followed the advice will have cashed in handsomely. Let’s revisit the 10 betting selections and assess how each fared:
✅🛑 Betting Tips Scorecard
Oklahoma City Thunder -9.5 handicap ✅
– Final score difference: +16. A clean cover.
Total Points Over 219.5 ✅
– Combined total: 230. Another accurate prediction.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Over 32.5 Points ✅
– Shai dropped 34. Right on target.
Tyrese Haliburton Under 22.5 Points ✅
– Finished with just 17 points.
Thunder to Win First Quarter ✅
– Dominated the opening stretch.
Thunder Over 58.5 First Half Points ✅
– Scored 68 by halftime. Well clear.
Thunder to Win by 11-15 Points (Winning Margin) 🛑
– They won by 16, just beyond the selected margin.
Pacers Over 15.5 Turnovers 🛑
– Managed to stay under this mark.
Josh Giddey Over 7.5 Assists 🛑
– Giddey’s playmaking load was lightened; under-delivered.
Both Teams to Score Over 100 Points ✅
– Thunder 123, Pacers 107. Comfortable hit.
Result:
✅ 7 Correct
🛑 3 Incorrect
A 70% strike rate at this stage of the NBA Finals is a solid return—particularly with key calls like the spread, total, and top scorer bets all landing cleanly. Bettors following America Bet’s insights will feel confident heading into Game 3.
Looking Ahead to Game 3
The series now moves to Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, where the Pacers will play a Finals game in front of a home crowd for the first time in a quarter of a century. With the series level at 1-1, the stage is set for a crucial turning point in this best-of-seven war.
Oklahoma City may have landed a heavy punch in Game 2, but Indiana have proven throughout this postseason that they’re at their most dangerous when doubted. Expect tactical tweaks, roaring home support, and a battle that may go the distance.
One thing’s for certain—if the first two games are any indication, this NBA Finals series is already living up to the hype.
