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Agence France-Presse

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 15 of his 35 points in the fourth quarter as the Oklahoma City Thunder rallied for a gritty 111-104 victory over the Indiana Pacers that levelled the NBA Finals at two games apiece on Friday.
Frustrated for much of the game by Indiana’s relentless defence, the NBA MVP Gilgeous-Alexander found a way to fight through.
He followed a three-pointer with a pull-up jumper to give the Thunder their first lead since the first half, with two minutes and 23 seconds remaining.
They would not trail again, as Gilgeous-Alexander added six free throws in the final 44 seconds.
“It’s a dogfight,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “Every time you step on the floor, on both ends of the floor, they make you work.”

Jalen Williams added 27 points, Chet Holmgren contributed 14 points and 15 rebounds, and Alex Caruso chipped in 20 points off the bench for the Thunder.
Pascal Siakam scored 20 points to lead Indiana, adding eight rebounds, five assists and five steals.
Tyrese Haliburton scored 18 points and Obi Toppin added 17 off the bench as the Pacers led by 10 late in the third quarter.
But Oklahoma City – who have yet to drop back-to-back games in the playoffs – clamped down defensively in the fourth, determined not to fall two games behind.
“We knew it when we woke up this morning: 3-1 is a lot different than 2-2 going back home,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “We played with desperation to the end of the game and that’s why we won.”
Gilgeous-Alexander said the Thunder must “maintain the same desperation” when they host Game 5 on Monday.
Indiana struck first in another fast-paced first quarter in front of their energised fans, making four of their first five shots and building a nine-point lead midway through the opening period.
Oklahoma hit back, putting together a 9-0 run to tie it, but the Pacers – with a strong defensive effort on Gilgeous-Alexander and four steals from Pascal Siakam – emerged from the first period with a 35-34 lead.
The back-and-forth battle continued in the second, when Oklahoma City led by as many as six but could never pull away. Haliburton then converted a three-point play, driving through traffic for a lay-up and making the free throw, his first of the series, to put Indiana up 60-57 at half-time.
By then, tensions had already ratcheted up. Toppin was assessed a flagrant foul for a check that sent Alex Caruso sprawling under the basket.
Thunder centre Isaiah Hartenstein confronted Toppin, and both received technical fouls.
Oklahoma City’s Luguentz Dort was later assessed a flagrant foul for swiping an arm over Toppin’s head.
Toppin gave Indiana the first double-digit lead of the game with a dunk that put them up 86-76 late in the third quarter.
But the Thunder dug deep, tying it up three times in the fourth quarter before Gilgeous-Alexander came through.
“You’re up seven at home, you’ve got to dig in and find a way, and we were not able to do it tonight,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. “But give them credit.
“They kept attacking, kept attacking, and their defence was great down the stretch.”


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NBA (National Basketball Association)

NBA Finals Game 4: MVP Gilgeous-Alexander’s heroics earn Thunder comeback win

NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (right) celebrates with Oklahoma City Thunder teammate Isaiah Hartenstein during the fourth quarter of Game Four. Photo: AFP

Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (front) shoots during Game 4 of the NBA Finals. Photo: Reuters

Yang Hansen urged to emulate Yao Ming as Chinese players eye NBA Draft

Yang Hansen in possession for China (in white) during an Asia Cup qualifier against Guam in Hefei in November. Photo: VCG via Getty Images

Qingdao's Yang Hansen (left) tangles with Yu Jiahao of Zhejiang last season. Photo: Xinhua

Max Denmark aims to transfer his Hong Kong Sevens X-factor to city’s 15s World Cup quest

Max Denmark scores one of a hattrick of tries against China at the Hong Kong Sevens at Kai Tak Stadium in March. Photo: Elson Li

Max Denmark (right) puts in a tackle for Hong Kong against ACT Brumbies A in May. Photo: HKCR

Fellow sevens star Harry Sayers (with ball) will play on the other wing for Hong Kong. Photo: HKRU

Sport

Basketball

Trailing 2-1 beforehand, the Oklahoma outfit rally in Indianapolis to level the series


Trailing 2-1 beforehand, the Oklahoma outfit rally in Indianapolis to level the series.


NBA Finals Game 4: MVP Gilgeous-Alexander’s heroics earn Thunder comeback win

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Trailing 2-1 beforehand, the Oklahoma outfit rally in Indianapolis to level the series

Trailing 2-1 beforehand, the Oklahoma outfit rally in Indianapolis to level the series