NBA: Pacers pound the Thunder with an 82-point half and a triple-double by Sabonis!
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma - The Indiana Pacers ran circles around the Thunder, completely embarrassing Oklahoma City on their home court Saturday night.
The Pacers were off and running, and then some, eclipsing 80 points as both teams went into the locker rooms for halftime, and cruising to a huge 152-95 win on the road.
Domantas Sabonis (24), son of European NBA legend Arvydas Sabonis, was on top of his game, having scored a triple-double by the mid-game intermission. The Pacers were firing on all cylinders, bagging 40-plus points in each quarter but the last. Going into the fourth, Indy already had 126 points on the board, to the Thunder's 70.
Indiana's defense was also something to marvel over, as they held OKC to 46 first-half points, and under 100 total points in the final score.
Sabonis finished the game, after checking out for good at the end of the third quarter, with 26 points, 19 boards, and 14 assists. Doug McDermott scored a game-high 31 points, while Oshae Brissett finished with 16 points and 13 rebounds, and four blocks.
Moses Brown led the Thunder with 16 points and seven rebounds. Tony Bradley and Svi Mykhailiuk contributed off the bench with 13 points each.
On Monday, the Pacers are in DC to play the Wizards, while the Thunder welcome the Suns into town on Sunday night.
Around the NBA
In Charlotte, the Hornets stung the Pistons 107-94. The Warriors routed the Rockets 113-87, while the Hawks snapped a three-game losing streak by beating the Bulls 108-97.
The Heat was too hot for the Cavs, as they won in Cleveland 124-107. And the Magic won thanks to a game-winning 3-pointer in the final seconds by Cole Anthony for the 112-111 victory over the Grizzlies. The Pelicans get the win but needed overtime to defeat the Timberwolves 140-136.
Luka Doncic scored a triple-double as his Mavericks edged out the 125-124 win over the Wizards. The Raptors came close in Utah, but the Jazz prevailed 106-102. Out west, the Nuggets came into LA and escaped with a 110-104 win against the Clippers.
On Sunday, the Nets and Bucks lock up for a big Eastern Conference showdown, and the Raptors are in LA to face the Lakers.
Cover photo: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire