Thunder blow Game 1 to Pacers, 111-110

IND OKC (Pacers lead Finals 1-0)

The first 39 minutes were beautiful. The Thunder had pressed the gas, starting a small ball unit of Shai, JDub, Dort, Cason, and Chet. Once more, OKC couldn't hit make anything. Once more, it didn't matter, as OKC's other massive edges had eclipsed another cold shooting* night. The frenetic Thunder guard dogs forced 19 (!) first half turnovers, and maintained a 10+ point lead for most of the game.

But there were cracks. Only Shai (38 pts/3 ast/5 rbs/3 stl) and Dort (15 points, 5-9 3PA, 4 steals and 2 blocks) were capable of much on offense, with Jalen (17 points on 6-19 shooting) and especially Chet (6 points, 2-9 FGA) looking nowhere near as mighty of Big Three members as they did in the conference finals. Indy out-rebounded OKC 56-39, and despite trailing all contest, did the annoying hanging around thing as the broadcasting crew salivated for another Pacers comeback.