A classic, back-and-forth NBA Finals returns to Oklahoma City, where the Thunder will aim to do something neither team has been able to do in the series: Win consecutive games.
The Indiana Pacers, meanwhile, had the weekend to stew over the missed opportunity they had to take a 3-1 series lead at home. The Pacers held the lead for much of Friday's Game 4, only to allow the Thunder to prevail 111-104 thanks to a fourth-quarter surge.
Oklahoma City was able to even the series heading back home thanks to league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored 15 of his 35 points in the fourth quarter of the Thunder's Game 4 win.
It all adds up to a crucial Game 5. USA TODAY Sports will provide the latest updates, highlights, wild plays, analysis and more throughout the game. Follow along.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver was spotted in Paycom Arena for Game 5 between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder. The small-market teams in the Finals are partly a product of the league's latest collective bargaining agreement that helped put an end to dynasties and roster building through mega-contracts. Silver has said as long as every fan base believes its team has a chance to win the title, he is happy with the balance and competition. — Heather Tucker
