{"id":9334,"date":"2025-06-23T01:38:58","date_gmt":"2025-06-23T01:38:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/?p=9334"},"modified":"2025-06-23T01:38:58","modified_gmt":"2025-06-23T01:38:58","slug":"indiana-pacers-v-oklahoma-city-thunder-nba-finals-game-7-live-updates-nba-finals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/naijaglobalnews.org\/?p=9334","title":{"rendered":"Indiana Pacers v Oklahoma City Thunder: NBA finals Game 7 \u2013 live updates | NBA finals"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Pacers 51-56 Thunder, 9:20 3rd quarter<\/strong><\/p>\n

Now a steal by Williams and he\u2019s off, driving to the basket. He makes his move, is partially blocked on his way down by Nembhard and still manages to finish the layup! How did he do that?<\/p>\n

Seems like a Williams resurrection to me.<\/p>\n

And it\u2019s OKC by five! Is this it? Is this the moment the Thunder take control?<\/p>\n

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Pacers 51-54 Thunder, 9:32 3rd quarter<\/strong><\/p>\n

We are back! One half to decide the 2024-2025 NBA season.<\/p>\n

Holmgren starts with a layup off an offensive rebound. A possession later, Dort fires a floater as the shot clock is running down. It\u2019s up, high! And it drops in! I think he didn\u2019t even believe it!<\/p>\n

But Indy, resilient as ever, have an answer \u2013 Siakam from three! Wow!<\/p>\n

They never stop.<\/p>\n

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Updated at\u00a021.35 EDT<\/p>\n

Make of it what you will\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

If Haliburton did indeed tear his Achilles, that would be the 8th Achilles tear of the season. The previous high was 5 (14-15). The total doesn’t include Thanasis Antetokounmpo who tore his in the offseason or prospect Jalon Moore who was injured in a recent pre-draft workout.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Jeff Stotts (@InStreetClothes) June 23, 2025<\/a>Share<\/p>\n

Updated at\u00a021.33 EDT<\/p>\n

Haliburton injury update<\/h2>\n

ESPN says that Haliburton\u2019s father is indicating that Tyrese has suffered an achilles injury. So not only does that alter Game 7 in an incredible way, it will impact the NBA\u2019s Eastern Conference in the 2025-2026 season. The EC was already wide open, and now it should be a true free-for-all with three enormous stars going down to the same injury these playoffs.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s Haliburton, Damian Lillard of the Bucks and Jayson Tatum of the Celtics, all out for either all of or most of 2025-2026. The Magic, who just went all in by trading for Desmond Bane, and the Knicks have to be the favorites.<\/p>\n

But never mind all that \u2013 it\u2019s four months till opening night, and we\u2019ve got 2024-2025 to settle. That\u2019s coming up shortly \u2013 stick with us.<\/p>\n

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Updated at\u00a021.27 EDT<\/p>\n

The numbers<\/strong><\/p>\n

ESPN says we\u2019ve had 10 lead changes and nine ties. SGA has 16, Siakam has 10. The difference? SGA is -1 and Siakam is +10.<\/p>\n

OKC are just 4-18 from three, which is a horrific 22.2%. Indy have hit half their threes and are 8-16. The Thunder have been strong in the paint, winning that stat 20-12.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s pretty even elsewhere.<\/p>\n

Indy have their typical balanced offense. The big issue for OKC is SGA has no help. Where is Williams?<\/p>\n

Incredible pressure on OKC right now to win a Game 7 at home against an Indy team without its key cog.<\/p>\n

Right now, incredibly, Indy are the better team.<\/p>\n

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Updated at\u00a021.21 EDT<\/p>\n

Pacers 48-47 Thunder, end of first half<\/strong><\/p>\n

Nembhard bounces off Hartenstein in the paint, shoots and misses. Back come OKC \u2013 SGA finds Hartenstein down low, he hits the layup and is fouled by Toppin! A couple of old Knicks right there.<\/p>\n

He sticks the foul shot.<\/p>\n

Then Mathurin gets charged for a moving screen! SGA comes back on the other end, drives and is fouled. The infraction is on the floor but Indy are over the limit so there\u2019s freee throws for the MVP.<\/p>\n

He hits both.<\/p>\n

But how about this \u2013 Nembhard, a step back three on Holmgren \u2013 it\u2019s good!<\/p>\n

Indy take a lead into the break after losing their cornerstone! A busy, eventful first half comes to a close, and clearly, against all odds, the Pacers aren\u2019t going away.<\/p>\n

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Updated at\u00a021.21 EDT<\/p>\n

Pacers 45-42 Thunder, 1:13 2nd quarter<\/strong><\/p>\n

Obi Toppin tries a three \u2013 no good. Siakam goes for the rebound and is fouled by Wallace. He hits both from the stripe. Indy by three.<\/p>\n

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Updated at\u00a021.15 EDT<\/p>\n

Pacers 43-42 Thunder, 1:34 2nd quarter<\/strong><\/p>\n

Shea drives to the lane and is blocked by Turner\u2026but it\u2019s goal-tending.<\/p>\n

Williams looks tentative for OKC by the way. Doesn\u2019t have that confidence right now.<\/p>\n

Now Dort throws up an enormous brick and we have a jump ball with 0.5 seconds on the shot clock. OKC deflects it out of bounds.<\/p>\n

On the other end, Mathurin, with zero hesitation, sticks a three, right over SGA!<\/p>\n

Indy on top.<\/p>\n

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Updated at\u00a021.15 EDT<\/p>\n

Pacers 40-40 Thunder, 3:13 2nd quarter<\/strong><\/p>\n

McConnell ties the game with a jumper. He does that kind of thing, much to the annoyance of whomever he plays!<\/p>\n

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Updated at\u00a021.15 EDT<\/p>\n

Pacers 38-40 Thunder, 3:57 2nd quarter<\/strong><\/p>\n

Williams, a step-back three, off the mark. Then Nesmith misses from beyond the arc.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s Dortz\u2019s turn to fire away from beyond the arc. Yes! The Canadian sticks it!<\/p>\n

A lot of Canadians out there.<\/p>\n

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Updated at\u00a021.16 EDT<\/p>\n

Pacers 36-37 Thunder, 5:22 2nd quarter<\/strong><\/p>\n

McConnell brings it up for Indy, looks left, dribbles right, stops on a dime, then drives to the rim and hits a reverse layup! Wow! That\u2019s so McConnell.<\/p>\n

Now a Holmgren miss, and a Nesmith rebound. Indy in transition \u2013 McConnell finds Nesmith who drives and is able to hit!<\/p>\n

Timeout OKC! Indy storm right back when it looked like the Thunder were about to get some legitimate separation!<\/p>\n

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Updated at\u00a021.15 EDT<\/p>\n

Pacers 32-37 Thunder, 6:25 1st quarter<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mathurin powers through the paint but can\u2019t finish. Rebound OKC, the other way, Carson hits a three!<\/p>\n

Largest lead of the night for the Thunder!<\/p>\n

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Pacers 32-34 Thunder, 7:14 2nd quarter<\/strong><\/p>\n

Who will emerge to fill the massive gap left by Haliburton\u2019s departure? Maybe it\u2019s Nesmith, who hits a three pointer to tie this game yet again. That\u2019s six threes for Indy!<\/p>\n

Lou Dort misses from three \u2013 Toppin has it, then loses it! Wallace, off the steal, finds SGA, who hits a step-back jumper from 14 feet out!<\/p>\n

Timeout Indiana! The Pacers have turned the ball over three times in this quarter already!<\/p>\n

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Updated at\u00a021.15 EDT<\/p>\n

Tyrese Haliburton<\/h2>\n

It\u2019s confirmed that Haliburton will not return with a \u201clower leg\u201d injury. Man, that is such a shame for him and his teammates. That said, OKC are plodding along here, their offense being slowed down considerably in the second quarter.<\/p>\n

OKC are up 32-29<\/p>\n

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Pacers 28-30 Thunder, 8:52 2nd quarter<\/strong><\/p>\n

Back door \u2013 Willams to Hartenstein and a layup. Sheppard coughs it up for an Indy turnover, then OKC gives it up, Wallace fumbles it away.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s getting messy. And muddy.<\/p>\n

Now Williams, a little jump hook in the paint, it\u2019s off, but he was fouled by Sheppard.<\/p>\n

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Updated at\u00a021.15 EDT<\/p>\n

Pacers 28-27 Thunder, 10:02 1st quarter<\/strong><\/p>\n

Now a great pass from Hartenstein finds a wide open cutting Caruso to put OKC on top, briefly. I say briefly, because Bradley has an opportunity thwarted by Williams, but there\u2019s a whistle.<\/p>\n

Two free throws from Bradley as Indy regains the lead.<\/p>\n

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Pacers 26-25 Thunder, 10:43 2nd quarter<\/strong><\/p>\n

Siakam, who won a title with Toronto, addresses his team in between quarters, and the message must be something like, \u201chey, don\u2019t panic, we got this.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mathurin seems inspired, he ties the game with a three!<\/p>\n

Later, Siakam is fouled by Carson Wallace and hits one of two from the stripe. Indy back on top.<\/p>\n

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Updated at\u00a021.16 EDT<\/p>\n

Quick first quarter review<\/strong><\/p>\n

Well, aside from the huge news of Haliburton\u2019s injury, it was a pretty clean quarter \u2013 four turnovers for Indy, one for OKC, and mostly, that\u2019s the difference so far.<\/p>\n

A lot more to come.<\/p>\n

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Pacers 22-25 Thunder, end of 1st quarter<\/strong><\/p>\n

Holmgren is fouled by McConnell, who obviously will have an enormous part to play without Haliburton. He hits one of two free throws and that\u2019ll do it for a busy, impactful first quarter.<\/p>\n

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Pacers 22-24 Thunder, 0:28 1st quarter<\/strong><\/p>\n

So, can Indy stay in this game without their star all-NBA guard? Again, I am not counting out Carlisle and Indy. If they do however, it weould be even more historic.<\/p>\n

Mathurin grabs an offensive rebound and puts it in to tie the game as the first quarter winds down.<\/p>\n

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Haliburton Update<\/strong><\/p>\n

For those of you without access to live pictures, here\u2019s how it looked.<\/p>\n

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Haliburton injured<\/strong><\/p>\n

Looking at the replay his calf just gave out on him. We\u2019ll update you on his status as soon as there\u2019s information, but Halibuton heads to the locker room with help from team staff and a towel over his head. Nothing there points to good news for Indy.<\/p>\n

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Updated at\u00a020.36 EDT<\/p>\n

Pacers 16-18 Thunder, 4:55 1st quarter<\/strong><\/p>\n

Now Caruso is driving, but his layup attempt is off the mark. On the other end, Haliburton slips and turns it over and in transition, Williams takes a pass from SGA and hits an easy layup.<\/p>\n

Haliburton is down, and he is writhing in pain and visibly upset. It\u2019s his right calf. Pacers players surround their star guard \u2013 this is not good, and obviously it\u2019s an enormous development in this game.<\/p>\n

Time out as they care for Haliburton.<\/p>\n

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Updated at\u00a020.27 EDT<\/p>\n

Pacers 14-16 Thunder, 5:36 1st quarter<\/strong><\/p>\n

Caruso, again from downtown, it\u2019s good!<\/p>\n

OKC have their first lead of the game!<\/p>\n

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Pacers 14-13 Thunder, 6:01 1st quarter<\/strong><\/p>\n

SGA finds Caruso beyond the arc, nobody near him, he pops, and it\u2019s good. A defensive breakdown there by Indy \u2013 it\u2019s a one-point game. On the other end, Mathurin has to chuck a three with the shot clock winding down and finds nothing but air \u2013 excellent defense there by the home team.<\/p>\n

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Pacers 14-10 Thunder, 6:58 1st quarter<\/strong><\/p>\n

Haliburton \u2013 back-to-back threes, but then OKC comes right back, with SGA finding Dort on the old back door play.<\/p>\n

Now Nesmith fouls SGA, his second! So that\u2019s something to watch.<\/p>\n

So is yet another three from Haliburton, this time with Hartenstein in his face! Wow! And OKC want to talk it over, time out on the floor!<\/p>\n

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Pacers 5-6 Thunder, 9:00 1st quarter<\/strong><\/p>\n

SGA penetrating and receives contact \u2013 it\u2019s Nesmith who has the foul, his first. They call it on the floor. In bounds pass \u2013 SGA has it \u2013 shoots a two from the near corner \u2013 it\u2019s good!<\/p>\n

Now SGA blocks a shot by Haliburton, and then Holmgren pops, and hits!<\/p>\n

The crowd likes that a bit more.<\/p>\n

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Pacers 5-2 Thunder, 10:15 1st quarter<\/strong><\/p>\n

Game 7 of the NBA Finals is underway! A 14 foot jumper by Nembhard and a block of Williams by Nesmith gets the pensive OKC crowd just a bit stiffer. Great start by Indy!<\/p>\n

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Double Bigs<\/strong><\/p>\n

OKC are going with the big boys, Hartenstein and Holmgren in the starting lineup. That makes sense for them \u2013 they\u2019ve been uncommitted to the pair this series but they begin with the duo, who will try and contain Siakam, who has been a model of consistency throughout the playoffs.<\/p>\n

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National Anthem<\/strong><\/p>\n

Kristin Chenoweth is belting out the anthem in an OKC t-shirt just before we get going. Kristin has some trophies, Emmy\u2019s, Tony\u2019s stuff like that. So no surprise, she does good job \u2013 and really, REALLY ends on a high note. Pretty wild, I\u2019ll give it a 8\/10, because it scared the crap out of me.<\/p>\n

The starting lineups are being announced right now. And by the way, the point spread has dipped to OKC -6.5. Indy is closing the gap already!<\/p>\n

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Prediction<\/strong><\/p>\n

I don\u2019t like to brag, but if you followed our Game 1 blog as I am sure you did, you may have noticed that I picked Indiana to win in seven games. Well, here we are, Game 7 and that means I am one Indiana victory from prediction immortality. I plan on making that leap tonight along with the Pacers, who will also have achieved a little something special. How will Indy do it? The same way they always do, a few McConnell in bounds steals here, a Toppin monster dunk there, great defense from Mathurin and Nembhard, some threes from the healing Nesmith, a steady Haliburton, who somehow grabs 10 rebounds and hits an off balance last-second shot, and a lot from Siakam, who will win a Finals MVP award to go along with his Eastern Conference Finals MVP award – sorry Tyrese. The skittish Thunder tip their caps and wait till next year, 107-104. Done.<\/p>\n

Do you buy that? Send your prediction in, now!<\/p>\n

Tip-off coming very very soon. Stick with us!<\/p>\n

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Updated at\u00a019.57 EDT<\/p>\n

Whoa!<\/strong><\/p>\n

I\u2019ve just learned that Rick Carlisle got wind that busses were being painted with OKC \u201c2025 champions\u201d on them.<\/p>\n

I don\u2019t even have words that can articulate just how bad that is. B-A-D BAD!<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re going to do that, for f\u2019s sake, do not get caught! I know they make the shirts and hats in advance, but that\u2019s the league marketing folks doing that, and you can\u2019t burn a bus if they lose.<\/p>\n

OKC \u2013 if they lose tonight, they will never live that down, never, ever, ever, EVER.<\/p>\n

And you got Rick mad. Damn.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

<\/span>The mother of all bad ideas. <\/span>Share<\/p>\n

Rick the Ruler<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/span>Hands up, baby hands up!<\/span> Photograph: Michael Conroy\/AP<\/p>\n

Has Rick Carlisle gotten enough love? I don\u2019t think so. The Pacers head coach who led the Dallas Mavericks to an upset Finals victory over LeBron\u2019s and Wade\u2019s Miami Heat in 2011 is on the verge of turning the trick for a second time. You don\u2019t have to convince Thunder coach Mark Daigneault that Carlisle is amongst the elite NBA head coaches, he called coaching against him \u201chumbling.\u201d You can add intensity to that list of adjectives. Up 28 points in Game 6, a pretty comfortable lead, Carlisle roasted Obi Toppin for failing to close out a three point shot. \u201cYou cannot do that shit\u201d, or something like that. Toppin was subsequently removed from the game.<\/p>\n

Ahead of the series finale, Rick said \u201cThis is a time to celebrate. These moments are rare\u2026I\u2019m very much looking forward to Game 7.\u201d<\/p>\n

He also said \u201cI love pressure. What you learn is that these moments are rare, and trying to duplicate this kind of situation is something that you look to do in everyday life. It\u2019s not easy to do that. It\u2019s not easy to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n

RC also left OKC with this blast, just to freak out the young Thunder a little more heading into the biggest game of their lives. \u201cThere are more adjustments that can be made, for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

Damn.<\/p>\n

Rick Carlisle: his head games are subtle, polite, but scary as hell for the other team. He loves pressure, and frankly, he can be my coach any day. If Miami\u2019s Erik Spoelstra is the top coach, Carlisle is bidding for the second spot with Steve Kerr as no2 in the league with Steve Kerr of Golden State. There can\u2019t be much between them, especially if he wins tonight.<\/p>\n

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ICYMI<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/span>I\u2019ll get my coat\u2026<\/span> Photograph: Julio Cortez\/AP<\/p>\n

Meanwhile\u2026isn\u2019t there a rule that says there can\u2019t be league-altering blockbuster deals ahead of the crown jewel event of an NBA season? If there isn\u2019t, there should be. And if there is, someone sprung a leak.<\/p>\n

Anyway, Kevin Durant is heading to Houston, and Phoenix is getting Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Houston\u2019s No. 10 pick in the upcoming draft and five second-round picks.<\/p>\n

Yeah, that\u2019s a lot. All I can say is, the Rockets better win in 2025-2026 or there\u2019s gonna be a lot of problems in Houston.<\/p>\n

We could debate this deal for hours, and if there\u2019s a blowout, maybe we will!<\/p>\n

And now, back to our regularly scheduled Game 7 of the NBA Finals.<\/p>\n

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Greetings!<\/h2>\n

They said this series would suck. They said this series would be short. But I am here to say now, hello and welcome to our live coverage of Game 7 of the NBA Finals. Seven games, that\u2019s as long as it can go. You don\u2019t get bad seven game series, it doesn\u2019t happen. The Thunder and Pacers match-up is no exception.<\/p>\n

For those of you new to basketball and wanted to see what all the fuss was about, the season ends tonight, and we\u2019re guaranteed to have a new champion. So yeah, it\u2019s kind of a big deal, which is why you\u2019re here.<\/p>\n

What a series it\u2019s been – the Pacers and Thunder defenses have smothered a pair of exceptionally strong offenses, and now there\u2019s one final slug-fest to come in Oklahoma.<\/p>\n

The Thunder won 68 games this regular season, amongst the best of all-time, and the payoff is a Game 7 at home. It\u2019s a significant advantage for OKC: the home team has won 16 NBA Finals game sevens while the road team has won just four. So, it will be an uphill battle for Indy, but guess what? They don\u2019t care at all about where they\u2019re playing, and they don\u2019t care about who they\u2019re playing. If there\u2019s one thing we\u2019ve learned, it\u2019s that counting out the Pacers under any circumstances is an enormous mistake. They were counted out in Game 6, having lost two straight in a seven game series, which is always difficult to overcome. Tyrese Haliburton, their all-NBA guard, was either going to be out with an injury or severely hampered. And Oklahoma was seen to have figured Indiana out – I\u2019m pretty sure there was some parade talk happening in OKC. Then Indy came out and absolutely destroyed the Thunder, and in a way we have not seen a whole lot of these playoffs. It was a pretty \u201cwow\u201d moment.<\/p>\n

Bottom line: if you\u2019re not impressed with Indiana, then you\u2019re not analysing in good faith. With all that said, there\u2019s a strong argument that OKC will win this game tonight. First off, the fact that they\u2019re favored by 8.5 points tells you just how superior the Thunder have been at home. Vegas believes Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will cap his MVP season with Oklahoma\u2019s first title, and that Jalen Williams will follow up his masterful 40-point Game 5 and his duds of a Game 6 with another stellar performance in the biggest of spots.<\/p>\n

And if they don\u2019t win, and Indiana figures out a way to swipe their first ever NBA title, OKC\u2019s season will be an abject failure. Not fair? Maybe, but that\u2019s the truth, Ruth.<\/p>\n

I can\u2019t wait, and if you\u2019re reading this, chances are you are also counting the minutes to tip-off. We\u2019ll have more to come as we head towards game time, but for now, why not email over your Game 7 prediction over and I\u2019ll put your name in the paper. Who doesn\u2019t love that?<\/p>\n

More to come – stick with us!<\/p>\n

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How to watch Game 7 of the NBA finals<\/h2>\n

Game 7 of the NBA finals between the Pacers and Thunder will tip off shortly after 8pm US eastern time on Sunday (1am BST on Monday).<\/p>\n

In the US, the game will air on ABC. Streaming options include ABC.com or the ABC app (with a participating TV provider login), as well as Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, fuboTV, DIRECTV STREAM and Sling TV (via ESPN3).<\/p>\n

In the UK, the game will be available on TNT Sports and Discovery+. In Australia, the game will broadcast live on ESPN Australia. Additionally, Kayo Sports and Foxtel Now will stream the games live.<\/p>\n

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Updated at\u00a020.05 EDT<\/p>\n

David will be here shortly.<\/strong> In the meantime here\u2019s a look back at Friday night\u2019s Game 6.<\/p>\n

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