The Oklahoma City Thunder dominated the first half of Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers, leading 57-45 at halftime. The Thunder's defense was the key, forcing a staggering 19 turnovers from the Pacers, which they converted into easy points. Oklahoma City's active hands and relentless pressure flustered Indiana's offense, preventing them from establishing any rhythm.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led all scorers with 19 points, showcasing his MVP form with an array of inside and outside shots. Luguentz Dort also made a significant impact, contributing nine points and four steals, proving his value on both ends of the court. The Thunder's bench provided a spark as well, with Isaiah Hartenstein and Alex Caruso each adding seven points.

For the Pacers, the first half was marred by turnovers and offensive struggles. They had three more turnovers (15) than made field goals, highlighting their inability to cope with the Thunder's defensive intensity. Tyrese Haliburton, a key player for Indiana, was largely ineffective in the first half, scoring only six points on 2-of-5 shooting. Pascal Siakam had 5 points in the second quarter, helping the Pacers keep pace.

The Thunder's dominance extended beyond forcing turnovers. They also controlled the boards and limited the Pacers' second-chance opportunities. Oklahoma City's defense held Indiana to a low shooting percentage, making it difficult for the Pacers to generate any offensive momentum.

Despite the significant deficit, the Pacers remained within striking distance. A three-pointer by Obi Toppin at the end of the first quarter provided a brief spark, and the Pacers showed flashes of offensive potential. However, their inability to take care of the ball and contain Gilgeous-Alexander proved to be major obstacles.

Oklahoma City coach Mark Daigneault made a notable adjustment to the starting lineup, inserting Cason Wallace in place of Isaiah Hartenstein. This move appeared to be aimed at increasing the team's speed and defensive versatility, and it paid dividends in the first half.

The Thunder also covered the spread in the first half, further demonstrating their dominance. As a team known for their ability to cover the spread, their performance in Game 1 was consistent with their regular-season success.

Looking ahead to the second half, the Pacers needed to find a way to reduce turnovers and get Haliburton more involved in the offense. They also needed to improve their defense, particularly against Gilgeous-Alexander. For the Thunder, maintaining their defensive intensity and continuing to exploit the Pacers' turnovers would be crucial to securing a Game 1 victory.

The first half of Game 1 was a showcase of the Thunder's strengths and the Pacers' weaknesses. Oklahoma City's defense stifled Indiana's offense, while Gilgeous-Alexander led the way on the offensive end. As the second half approached, the Pacers faced an uphill battle to overcome the deficit and steal a win on the road.