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Thunder, Pacers set for winner-take-all game 7 in NBA Finals

Thunder, Pacers set for winner-take-all game 7 in NBA Finals

Indiana Pacers (50-32, fourth in the Eastern Conference) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (68-14, first in the Western Conference)
Oklahoma City; Sunday, 8 p.m. EDT
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Thunder -7.5; over/under is 215
NBA FINALS: Series tied 3-3
BOTTOM LINE: The Oklahoma City Thunder host the Indiana Pacers in game seven of the NBA Finals. The Pacers defeated the Thunder 108-91 in the last matchup on Friday. Obi Toppin led the Pacers with 20 points, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 21.
The Thunder are 36-6 on their home court. Oklahoma City ranks sixth in the league averaging 14.5 made 3-pointers per game while shooting 37.4% from downtown. Isaiah Joe leads the team averaging 2.6 makes while shooting 41.2% from 3-point range.
The Pacers have gone 21-20 away from home. Indiana has a 22-15 record against opponents over .500.
The Thunder are shooting 48.2% from the field this season, 0.8 percentage points higher than the 47.4% the Pacers allow to opponents. The Pacers average 13.2 made 3-pointers per game this season, 0.3 fewer makes per game than the Thunder give up.
TOP PERFORMERS: Jalen Williams is shooting 48.4% and averaging 21.6 points for the Thunder. Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 30.9 points over the last 10 games.
Pascal Siakam is averaging 20.2 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists for the Pacers. Tyrese Haliburton is averaging 17.0 points over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Thunder: 6-4, averaging 113.3 points, 40.8 rebounds, 20.0 assists, 10.3 steals and 5.2 blocks per game while shooting 46.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 112.1 points per game.
Pacers: 5-5, averaging 110.4 points, 40.3 rebounds, 24.2 assists, 9.9 steals and 6.0 blocks per game while shooting 46.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 110.8 points.
INJURIES: Thunder: Nikola Topic: out for season (acl).
Pacers: Isaiah Jackson: out for season (calf), Jarace Walker: day to day (ankle).
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
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Inside the CFL: Nine thoughts on nine teams at season's halfway mark
Inside the CFL: Nine thoughts on nine teams at season's halfway mark

Montreal Gazette

time2 days ago

  • Montreal Gazette

Inside the CFL: Nine thoughts on nine teams at season's halfway mark

CFL By As the CFL turns the corner this weekend on the final half of the regular-season schedule, here are nine thoughts on nine teams — with plenty of bonus reflections on the Alouettes. Montreal Kudos to the Als for having a winning record — barely — through nine games considering they're without injured starting quarterback Davis Alexander, receivers Tyson Philpot and Austin Mack, defensive-tackle Mustafa Johnson, cornerback Kabion Ento and returner James Letcher Jr. But Montreal also started the season 3-0, is on a two-game losing streak heading into B.C. Saturday night (7 p.m., TSN1, RDS, TSN Radio 690, 98.5 FM) and appears to be sinking fast. We'd suggest the Als are in danger of missing the playoffs, but Ottawa and Toronto might be worse. McLeod Bethel-Thompson clearly wasn't the solution when Alexander injured his hamstring, and now the Als have turned to Caleb Evans. While Bethel-Thompson now, conveniently, is on the six-game injured list (elbow), remember that he overthrew an open Tyler Snead in the end zone — with a bad elbow, supposedly — on the play preceding the Tyrell Ford interception that was returned for a touchdown. Had that play been converted, the Als probably would have beaten Edmonton — and Bethel-Thompson would be playing Saturday. Instead, Montreal lost by one point, as it did earlier this season at home against the Lions. And it also defeated the Argonauts by a point on July 17. The Als could be 7-2. They also could be 4-5. This team has trouble completing games and continually shoots itself in the foot with careless mistakes. An offside penalty against Geoffrey Cantin-Arku on a late kickoff last week forced the play to be repeated — which resulted in a 23-yard swing in Edmonton's favour — eventually leading to the winning touchdown. When the defence requires a stop, it has been unable to produce — as was the case against the Lions, leading to Sean Whyte's winning 43-yard field goal on the final play. It was a misconduct penalty against guard Pier-Olivier Lestage that provided B.C. with improved field position. We find it interesting head coach Jason Maas has put no timetable on Alexander's return from the six-game injured list, meaning it could be much more serious. This uncertainty should have Als fans concerned. We believed the Als were onto something following their 2023 Grey Cup victory. But that now appears to be an aberration. If the Als are under the salary cap, will owner Pierre Karl Péladeau do something to stop the bleeding? Or will he have a knee-jerk reaction come November should things continue in a downward spiral? It's not like he makes money on the team. Ottawa The Redblacks can be competitive when QB Dru Brown is on his game, but he's continually injured and left Thursday's game at Winnipeg after clutching his knee. This is a team that always appears stuck in neutral, never able to take the next step. Free agents — receiver Eugene Lewis, tailback William Stanback — are signed because management believes they'll provide the missing pieces to the puzzle. Instead, the club always appears to be lacking something. Toronto How the mighty have fallen. The Argos won the Grey Cup last season, but are floundering without injured QB Chad Kelly. Everyone underestimated how much his absence would mean. His replacement, Nick Arbuckle, was named the Cup's most valuable player, but has proven to be nothing more than a one-hit wonder. And head coach Ryan Dinwiddie, judging by his frequent post-game comments, appears to be at wit's end finding solutions. There's the potential of a second-half surge — like last season — should Kelly return. Hamilton It begins and ends with QB Bo Levi Mitchell. We thought, at age 35, he might be done. Instead, he's the CFL's leading passer and will probably be named its outstanding player. The addition of receiver Kenny Lawler has been huge and, combined with Tim White, provides the Tiger-Cats with two dangerous threats. The East Division goes through Hamilton. First-year GM Ted Goveia is battling cancer. Don't think the players aren't using this as motivation in their pursuit of a championship. Winnipeg The Blue Bombers have had a great run, with five consecutive Cup appearances, albeit three straight defeats. Is it over? Perhaps. The team's inconsistent. QB Zach Collaros, 36, shows his age and still throws too many interceptions. But Winnipeg still has RB Brady Oliveira and defensive-end Willie Jefferson. Saskatchewan Perhaps the most complete team from top to bottom, and QB Trevor Harris, at 39, is aging like fine wine. But if they reach the Grey Cup and the game comes down to a field goal, is Brett Lauther reliable? Calgary The Stampeders went 5-12-1 last season, ending their 18-year playoff streak. Calgary (6-3) already has surpassed that and has thrived under QB Vernon Adams Jr. Defensive-tackle Jaylon Hutchings has six sacks, while Canadian cornerback Adrian Greene has four interceptions. Edmonton Is it too late for the Elks, or can QB Cody Fajardo turn their season around? There are some pieces in RB Justin Rankin and returner Javon Leake, but this once-great franchise is stuck in mediocrity. B.C. Canadian QB Nathan Rourke, the league's highest-paid player, passed for 408 yards last week against Hamilton. The Lions are a dangerous and explosive offensive team, but have struggled defensively at times.

Caleb Evans looks to seize opportunity as Alouettes search for solutions at QB
Caleb Evans looks to seize opportunity as Alouettes search for solutions at QB

Winnipeg Free Press

time4 days ago

  • Winnipeg Free Press

Caleb Evans looks to seize opportunity as Alouettes search for solutions at QB

MONTREAL – Caleb Evans never stopped believing he might get another chance, even after the back-to-back setbacks he suffered 12 months ago. First, he lost his job as the Montreal Alouettes' primary backup to Davis Alexander, failing to seize his opportunity while starting quarterback Cody Fajardo missed time. A week later, Evans sustained a season-ending knee injury while subbing in for Alexander against Hamilton on Aug. 2, 2024. But that wasn't the end of his time in Montreal. The 27-year-old American returned on a one-year contract — and now he'll make his first CFL start since July 25, 2024, when the Alouettes (5-4) visit the B.C. Lions on Saturday. 'You never know, injuries happen,' Evans said after taking first-team reps Thursday at Stade Hébert. 'You just always got to be ready. 'It was just hard work to get back here, and I'm thankful for it.' Evans, Montreal's third-string and short-yardage QB this season, replaced a subpar McLeod Bethel-Thompson and threw for 113 yards and one touchdown on 14-of-18 passing in the second half of last week's 23-22 loss to the Edmonton Elks. Bethel-Thompson joined Alexander — now the franchise QB — on the six-game injured list with a right elbow injury Wednesday, meaning Evans could get some runway in the starting role. 'He's been tremendous about handling adversity, really throughout his career,' head coach Jason Maas said. 'He's just an unselfish person and very committed to the game. I'm very excited for him and the opportunity that lies ahead of him.' Evans, who has a knack for running the ball but has struggled with pass efficiency, will make his fourth start for the Alouettes and 17th in the CFL after a previous stint with the Ottawa Redblacks. This time around, he's coming in with a new perspective. 'More comfortable, calm,' he said. 'After you go through the highs and lows, there's not much more to go through … can't get no lower, so you just got to go out there, sling, go out and have fun.' 'There's gonna always be naysayers and doubters,' he added. 'This process has taught me a lot about myself, how hard I want to work mentally and physically, so it's just more to prove myself right.' The task ahead, however, will be anything but easy. The Lions (4-5) are coming off a big win over the East Division-leading Hamilton Tiger-Cats, and the Alouettes — losers of two in a row — have only practised once with Evans as the starter. Injury-plagued Montreal, which is also missing top receivers Austin Mack and Tyson Philpot, began the week with team meetings on Monday and Tuesday before cancelling Wednesday's practice due to inclement weather. Maas points out the Alouettes have won with backups in recent years — Evans himself won two games while replacing Fajardo in 2023 — but this season, they have a 1-4 record without Alexander. The offence has often stagnated. Through Week 10, Montreal ranks last in the CFL in offensive TDs, and second-last in offensive points, net offence and pass efficiency. Its TD drive percentage is also a league-low 13.6. Maas said Alexander, who is one win shy of a record-setting 9-0 start to a CFL career, is 'progressing,' but a timeline for his return remains unclear. 'It's far enough away where we can't exactly pinpoint a date that he's going to come back,' Maas said. The Alouettes are not the only team that's shuffled quarterbacks this season. Only Toronto's Nick Arbuckle and Hamilton's Bo Levi Mitchell have started all of their teams' games. Montreal will join Ottawa (Dru Brown, Dustin Crum, Matt Shiltz) as the only teams to start three QBs this season. 'This is part of the Canadian Football League and you need depth at that position,' said former Alouettes QB and current offensive coordinator Anthony Calvillo. 'You need the other guys to make sure they're going to give you a chance to win out there, and we feel very confident in the guys that we have.' Beyond Evans, James Morgan is waiting in the wings for his first CFL chance. The Alouettes also signed former Toronto Argonauts QB Cameron Dukes on Wednesday. Dukes filled in for suspended starter Chad Kelly in Toronto last season before he was cut from training camp this year. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. Since then, the 27-year-old American has been in Florida, where he trains aspiring quarterbacks. Dukes was working out at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday when Alouettes general manager Danny Maciocia rang him up. 'He's like, 'Hey, you can get a flight up here today?'' Dukes recalled. 'Went straight home, started packing, got a flight at 4 o'clock, and I was up here at 1 a.m.' He calls it a 'full-circle moment' after working out for Maciocia in Vegas before signing with Toronto in 2023. 'I actually said to him, 'I've been waiting on your call, man!'' Dukes said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 14, 2025.

Ex-Toronto Raptors star surprises entire restaurant by picking up the tab
Ex-Toronto Raptors star surprises entire restaurant by picking up the tab

Toronto Sun

time4 days ago

  • Toronto Sun

Ex-Toronto Raptors star surprises entire restaurant by picking up the tab

Known for charity work, current Indiana Pacers all-star Pascal Siakam hooked up customers while in Grenada. Get the latest from Ryan Wolstat straight to your inbox Indiana Pacers' Pascal Siakam (right) shakes hands with a man during a recent trip to Grenada. Twitter Former Toronto Raptors star Pascal Siakam likes to give back, but he did it in a different way on a recent vacation. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account While hanging out in Grenada, Siakam felt like some Kentucky Fried Chicken — and it was lucky for all of the customers there, since he took care of all of their meals. 'We don't want attention,' Siakam said on a clip posted to social media when doing a drive through was suggested, but he asked to go inside, though. 'They're saying the Caribbean KFC is different, so I'm trying to see what it's about,' he says in the clip. He was surprised how many people were inside and had to laugh when someone asked if he wanted his chicken 'spicy' (since Spicy P is his nickname). Claiming he hadn't had 'KFC in a long time, probably since college (at New Mexico State),' Siakam's generosity stunned customers inside when a worker told them he was paying for everything. Some were incredulous until told he was an NBA player. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'This is the first time in history that anyone has ever purchased meals for everyone in the building,' a KFC worker said in the clip. Siakam seemed to enjoy the food. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The 2019 champion, who was the team's second-leading scorer, is coming off another big season for the Indiana Pacers, helping lead them to the NBA Finals and a heartbreaking Game 7 loss against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Previously, he has done plenty of charity work through his PS43 program, which holds an annual basketball camp in his native Cameroon, and his Data Dunkers program, which is still held in Toronto and helps students in grades 5 through 12 learn data science skills like coding. Siakam hosted a Data Dunkers event in Toronto in December 2024 at Humber College. Read More This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'You do some of these things from your heart and obviously you hope that it has an impact, but just to see the reactions,' Siakam told City TV's Lindsay Dunn. 'One thing I wanted to do when I left was to continue to have that imprint in the community because I grew up here. So it's part of me, part of who I am, it's part of my family. 'To be able to still touch the community while I'm away, and then whenever I get a chance to be here, just making sure I come in and not only show face but just show my support.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Back in 2021, on his birthday, Siakam announced a six-figure donation through his PS43 Foundation that included new laptops equipped with the necessary programming. Toronto & GTA Sunshine Girls World Sunshine Girls Relationships

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