The Indiana Pacers had their backs against the wall but kept their season alive by dominating the Oklahoma City Thunder 108-91 in Game Six of the NBA Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in a game heard last night on the Sports Voice. Obi Toppin came of the bench to lead the Pacers with 20 points. Pascal Siakim had 16 points and 13 rebounds. Indiana blew the game open in the second period by outscoring the Thunder 36-17. Tyrese Haliburton entered the game dealing with a strained calf. He was cleared to play and finished with 14 points and five assists but got to rest the entire fourth quarter because Indiana had such a large lead. The series is now tied at three games apiece, as the Pacers force a winner-take-all Game Seven Sunday night in Oklahoma City. WRBI coverage begins at 7:30.
The Minnesota Twins beat the Reds 12-5 yesterday afternoon at Great American Ball Park in a game heard on WRBI. Minnesota denied Cincinnati a chance to sweep the three-game series. Nick Martinez gave up three home runs – two of which were clubbed by Twins leadoff hitter Byron Buxton. Martinez was tagged with the loss, which snapped the Reds four-game winning streak. Cincinnati hits the road for the first of three over the weekend in St. Louis against the Cardinals starting tonight. Brady Singer will get the start for the Reds. He’ll be opposed by Cardinals righthander Andre Pallante. Coverage begins at 6:45 on 103.9 FM.
The Indiana Fever had a 21-12 lead at the end of the first quarter last night, but they allowed the Golden State Valkryies back in in the second quarter. The second half was no better, and the Fever went on to lose to Golden State 88-77. The Fever were once again without head coach Stephanie White on the sidelines. She was absent due to a personal matter. Kelsey Mitchell said after the game they simply “played soft” in the second half. Indiana will visit Las Vegas on Saturday.
Alex Palou will be looking for a better result than he’s had in the last two races this weekend at Road America. Palou is the points leader in the NTT IndyCar Series, and is trying to stave off recent surges from Pato O’Ward and Kyle Kirkwood. Practice begins today with qualifying set to begin tomorrow. The green flag for the XPEL Grand Prix of Road America is at 1:30-eastern Sunday.
