**Oklahoma City Thunder even series with Denver Nuggets**

The Oklahoma City Thunder fought back to tie their series against the Denver Nuggets at two apiece with a 92-87 victory on Sunday. In a closely contested game, the Thunder managed to edge out the Nuggets despite a valiant effort from the home team.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder’s star player and MVP candidate, had an off night but still managed to contribute 25 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists. He praised his team’s defensive effort for the win: “We obtained stops, we contained them at 18 points in the last quarter. Salvation always goes through the defense for us.”

Nikola Jokic, Denver’s key player, finished with 27 points and 13 rebounds but struggled against the Thunder’s defense. Nuggets coach DavidAdelman complimented the Thunder’s resilience: “They obviously returned very aggressive after the break, jumped on us, but salvation always goes through the defense for us.”

“We must congratulate them, in an absolutely disgusting basketball match they continued to play, try things, to end up winning.”

David Adelman, Nuggets coach

Match 5 moves to Oklahoma on Tuesday.

**Indiana Pacers Destroy Cleveland Cavaliers, Lead 3-1**

The Indiana Pacers delivered a commanding performance to take a 3-1 series lead against the Cleveland Cavaliers, routing them 129-109. The Pacers dominated from the start, leading 80-39 at halftime, the widest halftime margin in any playoff game.

Myles Turner (20 points) and Pascal Siakam (21 points) led the Pacers’ scoring effort, while Obi Toppin added 20 points off the bench. Donovan Mitchell, the Cavaliers’ star player, injured his ankle in the second quarter and will undergo an MRI.

“They brought their game to a completely different level, on every aspect of the game.”

Kenny Atkinson, Cavaliers coach

The Pacers’ aggressive defense held the Cavaliers to just 13-of-54 (24%) shooting from three-point range. They now stand on the brink of reaching the Eastern Conference Finals for the second year in a row.

Match 5 will be played in Cleveland on Tuesday.

Did you know?

• The Thunder have now tied their series with the Nuggets after losing the first two games.
• The Pacers’ victory extends their string of successful second-half performances against the Cavaliers in the playoffs.

Looking ahead

The Thunder and Nuggets will face off in Oklahoma City, while the Pacers and Cavaliers will meet in Cleveland for crucial Match 5s. Could these games see major comebacks, or will they further cement the series outcomes?