Entries by Mateo Mayorga

Mateo’s Hoop Diary: Thunder triumph in Game 7, capturing the NBA title

The Pacers failed to complete another signature, improbable comeback after being dropped into a large fourth-quarter crater, starting with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s right-side triple. Bennedict Mathurin’s rim attacks and trips to the line kept the Pacers’ faint heartbeat pumping, yet the Thunder triumphed thanks to drawing cheap fouls and holding their guests to 33.3% shooting late. […]

“It comes down to the moments and who is willing to make winning plays…”: The Thunder broke the Pacers’ hearts in Game 4, tying the series at 2-2

The Thunder’s late defense intensified, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander the Great rescued his club in the fourth quarter on a spree of free throws and jumpers, taking Game 4 and tying the Finals at 2-2. He said after the game, “I knew what it would have looked like if we lost tonight, and I didn’t want […]

Mateo’s Hoop Diary: The Pacers prevailed at home in Game 3 of the Finals against the Thunder

Joyful cries filled Gainbridge Fieldhouse as the Pacers edged out the Thunder in Game 3, their first home Finals match in 25 years. Members of the 2000 squad witnessed the superior bench play, transition attack, points off turnovers, and Andrew Nembhard’s on-ball pestering of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander overcome an impeded half-court attack to take a 2-1 […]

Mateo’s Hoop Diary: The Thunder evened the Finals with a commanding performance in Game 2

The Thunder exacted retribution in Game 2, emphatically putting down the Pacers. Coach Rick Carlisle inadvertently predicted the story of the night on Saturday, saying that every team’s pattern is to come out more aggressively after a loss. The Thunder were first to 50-50 balls, their bench scored 48 digits, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander rained a surplus […]

Mateo’s Hoop Diary: “I’m going to be all over the film”: The Pacers dropped Game 5 in New York

The Pacers were outhustled and outmuscled, plus Jalen Brunson turned into Rambo in Game 5, shifting the series back to Indiana. He scored 32 digits on 66.7% shooting, which included a 16-point blaze in the third quarter on blow-bys and jumpers.   Coach Rick Carlisle said his team didn’t play with the force needed, and […]