The NBA Finals will be decided by a winner-takes-all game seven for the first time in nine years after the Indiana Pacers defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 108-91 in game six to equal the series.
A fine attacking display from the Pacers, which included 20 points from Obi Toppin off the bench, stopped the Thunder from claiming the Championship in Indianapolis.
Star player Tyrese Haliburton, who missed game five due to a calf injury, passed a late fitness test before tip-off and managed 14 points, five assists and two steals in 22 minutes of play.
Newly-crowned Most Valuable Player, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, top scored for the Thunder with 21 points but his side paid the price for missing their first eight shots of the game, which gave the Pacers an early eight-point lead.
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The victory means the NBA finals will go to game seven for the first time since 2016, when the Cleveland Cavaliers won their first Championship with a 4-3 series win against the Golden State Warriors.
The Oklahoma Thunder will host game seven on Monday but will need a much improved performance to win their first Championship since 1979.
Monday’s game will mark the 20th time the NBA Finals have gone to game seven, with the home side in the decider winning 15 times.
(Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe)
