Pacers beat Thunder to take game 3 in NBA Finals

Tyrese Haliburton praised a team effort from the Indiana Pacers after they beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 116-107 to take a 2-1 lead in the NBA Finals.

Haliburton scored 22 points and made 11 assists and nine rebounds as the Pacers overturned a five-point deficit going into the fourth quarter in game three of the best-of-seven series.

The Pacers bench outscored the Thunder by 49-18, with reserve Bennedict Mathurin contributing 27 points at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

Pacers, who went into the game after a 123-107 defeat in game two, extended a run of not losing consecutive games since March.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the NBA's Most Valuable Player, scored 24 points for the Thunder but only three in the fourth quarter.

Jalem Williams top-scored for the visitors with 26 points, while Chet Holmgren scored 20 points and made 10 rebounds for a Thunder side that gave up 19 turnovers which led to 21 points for the Pacers.

Game four will take place at the same venue at 20:30 local time on Friday.