INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — TJ McConnell stole inbounds passes not once, not twice, but three times in Game 3 of the NBA Finals. He waved his arms, pumped his fists and shouted at an already delirious crowd to make more noise. Bennedict Mathurin made just about every shot, calm and cool, always coming up with the bucket that Indiana needed.

The last time the Indiana Pacers pulled to within two games of an NBA championship, it was a stay of execution, delaying the inevitable celebration for the Los Angeles Lakers — the league’s brewing dynasty.