The Pacers yet again were cool, calm and collected as they downed the Thunder late to take game 1 of the NBA finals. These cardiac kids have done it again, which is seemingly their calling card at this point. The Thunder led from the tip to .03 seconds left in the game, and lost. It was something of spectacular fashion, considering their double-digit lead in the fourth quarter. These Pacers love to make games exciting, and seem to get better as the pressure builds during these games. Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam and company played a true team game throughout and it took them until the final second to pull off their first lead of the night. This game never really looked close until about 6 minutes left when Myles Turner drained a 23-foot 3 pointer to bring the game within 4. After that, the scrap was on. When the game gets down and dirty in the final minutes, I don’t want the Pacers to be on the other side from me…they embrace this point of the game like they’ve been there many times before, and at this point they have.
It’s like that meme somebody call an ambulance, but not for the Pacers. They’re not a normal team. They step in huge moments where others would crumble in the situation. The pressure doesn’t get to these cats at all and it’s really fun to watch. The late game heroics are nothing short of spectacular. The Pressure Pacers made a statement in this game. They’re ready for the bright lights, and if OKC wants to take them lightly then this is exactly what’s going to happen.
I know the NBA and fans alike probably wouldn’t think these two teams bring the star power that say the Lakers and Celtics would, but these have been two of the most fun teams to watch in these playoffs. The Thunder are so damn good everywhere that people just absolutely dismissed these Pressure Pacers up until .03 seconds left in the game. Then Tyrese Haliburton does what he does and stuns the OKC crowd to take the lead with less than a second on the clock. I was half thinking that when they panned to Haliburton’s dad after Tyrese canned that go-ahead shot he would be shirtless running to the court. Not because he’s the type of guy to do that or try to fight another NBA superstar or anything, but because being Tyrese’s dad in that moment had to be exhilarating. To be a dad in that situation, watching your son hit the coolest shot, on the biggest stage, has to be the most uplifting moment full of joy, pride and excitement ever. This is the pinnacle, the big kahuna, the white whale for any basketball family and his kid just dropped his sack on Oklahoma City. Sports are fucking awesome.
Yes Cer’s, I’ll see you on the next tee box.
JMDSportsTalk 
Leave a comment