Quebec basketball fans certainly had a particular interest in the duel between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday night, due to the confrontation between Bennedict Mathurin and Luguentz Dort.
It was ultimately the rookie who had the last laugh in a 121-117 victory for the Pacers thanks to a fine defensive game late in the game from Mathurin. It’s a sort of revenge for Mathurin since the Pacers lost the first game between the two Quebecers by a score of 126 to 106.
Dort made his reputation in the NBA for his defensive game and Mathurin had nothing to envy him in the last moments of the fourth quarter. Indiana led 117-115 with less than 10 seconds to go when Mathurin found himself having to counter the excellent Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Quebecer’s tight coverage caused the Thunder player to miss his shot and the Pacers were able to recover the ball to add a point to their lead with a free throw.
The Thunder approached a single point, but two free throws by Mathurin allowed the Pacers to take their distance 120 to 117. The latter added a final basket on a free throw to close the books and confirm the 34th victory of the season for the Pacers. This setback hurts the Thunder who are fighting for the playoff race in the West. He occupies the 10e position with a 38-40 record just ahead of the Dallas Mavericks (37-40).
Mathurin finished the game with a total of 15 points. Dort, for his part, recorded a double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle also had good words for Mathurin after the game.
“Bennedict is a player to watch like Reggie Miller and Buddy Hield. They put Luguentz Dort on special cover on him all night,” he said.
“When he returned to the court, he was excellent. He was disciplined and patient. That’s what to do against Dort. We must not force the game, ”he added.
Gilgeous-Alexander had a very good offensive game with 39 points.
In his first season in the professional ranks, Mathurin is one of the best rookies in the NBA. In his previous game, he shattered the Pacers team record for most three-pointers in a season by a rookie when he scored his 95th of the campaign.
The Pacers meet the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday while the Thunder take on the Phoenix Suns.