Spanish
Oklahoma City (USA) (EFE).- The Oklahoma City Thunder, with 40 points from an extraordinary Jalen Williams, are close to the NBA title after defeating the Indiana Pacers 120-109 this Monday and taking a 3-2 lead in the series for the ring.
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In the history of the NBA Finals that reached the fourth game tied at 2-2, the team that won the fifth game won the title 74.2% of the time. The sixth game will be played this Thursday in Indianapolis while a hypothetical seventh game would take place on Sunday back in Oklahoma City. The difference was abysmal in the first half with the Thunder at a fabulous level, but after the break the tables turned and the Pacers threatened another comeback, a trademark of theirs, which they ultimately failed to achieve. Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (c) shoots against Indiana Pacers forward Obi Toppin (d). EFE/EPA/Manuela Soldi Williams signed the most important performance of his career with 40 points (14 of 25 in field goals with 3 of 5 in triples and 9 of 12 from the free throw line), 6 rebounds and 4 assists. He thus achieved his new scoring record in the 'playoffs' and joined Russell Westbrook as the only 'thunder' with 40 or more points in the Finals. Shai-Gilgeous Alexander completed a demolishing double-double with 31 points (9 of 21 in shots, 13 of 14 in free throws), 10 assists, 2 steals and 4 blocks. A forgettable night for Tyrese Haliburton. Aaron Wiggins (14 points with 4 of 7 on three-pointers) and Cason Wallace (11 points with 3 of 4) provided oxygen off the bench for a defensively dominant Thunder, as they forced 23 turnovers from the Pacers (32 points for Oklahoma) with 15 steals and 12 blocks. Instead, Tyrese Haliburton starred in a night to forget and also suffered discomfort in the calf of that right leg that is giving him problems during the Finals. The point guard, clearly diminished, sealed a horrible stat line of 4 points (0 for 6 from the field, 4 for 4 from the free throw line), 7 rebounds and 6 assists with 3 turnovers. Pascal Siakam (28 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists with 6 turnovers), T.J. McConnell (18 points) and Obi Toppin (12 points) led the Pacers, who hadn't lost two games in a row since March and who are behind in a playoff series for the first time this postseason.
