Pacers take advantage of home court and regain lead over Thunder

Nearly 18,000 throats made Gainbridge Fieldhouse erupt with joy when Pascal Siakam hung on the rim for the game-clinching dunk in Game 3 of the NBA Finals.

The Indiana Pacers entered the title series as the supposed victims, but they have a 2-1 lead over an Oklahoma City Thunder that once again became that team that didn't know what to do after a bad night for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Because the monarchs' 116-107 victory in the Eastern Conference was based on controlling the regular season's MVP . The Canadian finished with 24 points, 12 fewer than his average in the first two games.

That was the key for the Pacers, who trailed by five points after three quarters, but never gave up.

Tyrese Haliburton stepped up when needed , backed up by Siakam and Benedict Mathurin, who came off the bench to contribute 27 points. An unexpected hero.

That explained the jubilation. The title is two wins away .

SV