Pacers' Canadians Bennedict Mathurin, Andrew Nembhard the difference in stunning Game 3
A stunning comeback in Game 1, an expected retaliatory beatdown from a juggernaut in Game 2 and, on Wednesday night, an impressive Pacers win in the biggest game in Indianapolis since 2000.
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What a fun NBA Finals it has been — with plenty still to come.
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For the first time ever, a Canadian has led these huge games in scoring each time. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander doing it twice was expected. But Bennedict Mathurin? Well, not so much.
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The Montrealer was massive in Game 3, scoring 27 points in 22 minutes, missing only three of his 12 shot attempts.
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Mathurin had totalled 19 over the first two games, but always is a threat to go on a scoring binge, even if doing it to this extent under the brightest of lights seemed like a bit of a stretch.
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While Indiana's stars Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam led the way, Mathurin and Aurora, Ont.'s Andrew Nembhard also were crucial contributors in the 116-107 win.
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SGA might be the headliner and teammate Lu Dort probably is the best defender in the series, but Indy's Canucks have put their stamp on the series already as well.
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Mathurin, the highest draft pick on the Pacers at sixth overall, didn't even get on the floor in the opening quarter Wednesday, Indiana's worst quarter of the game. But he was the main factor in a 40-point, 61% shooting second for the hosts, hitting 5-of-6 shots for 14 points — twice as many as any other player.
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Even against some of the NBA's best defenders (like Dort, Alex Caruso, Jalen Williams and Cason Wallace) Mathurin's aggressiveness was too much for the mighty Thunder. Mathurin got four layups in the second quarter alone, along with three free throws, and kept the Thunder off balance by also pulling up for a mid-range two-pointer and hitting a three-pointer.
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And he was there again to turn the tide in the fourth after a quiet third. In the final frame, Mathurin again went off , this time for 10 points.
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He got back in attack mode, driving into the paint and gave the Pacers the jolt needed to again stun the Thunder.
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It was the fourth time Mathurin has scored at least 20 in these playoffs.
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Nembhard was quiet statistically, but had a big impact in the game and only Haliburton played more minutes for the Pacers.
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Team Canada is lucky to have two-way players like Nembhard, Dort, Dillon Brooks and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who relentlessly come at you defensively, while also being able to heat up at the other end.
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