Two lifelong Pacers fans going to Game 7 tonight

Grew up in Batesville rooting for the Pacers

(OKLAHOMA CITY) –  Two lifelong friends from Batesville have been Pacers fans for as long as they can remember. 

Matt Fullenkamp and Tyler Giesting were next door neighbors growing up and have followed the Pacers through the team's ups and downs over the past three decades. 

They're both old enough to remember when the Pacers went to the NBA Finals in 2000 and know it could be another 25 years before the team makes it back to the championship again. 

They went to Game 3 of the NBA Finals together and almost went to Game 6. 

“We were kicking ourselves for not going to Game 6 and that is when we both agreed we’re going to Oklahoma City,” Fullenkamp said. 

Giesting and Fullenkamp boarded individual flights this weekend and will be at the game for a once-in-a-lifetime experience this evening.

The Pacers and Thunder will play Game 7 tonight and the winner will be crowned NBA Champions. 

“You never know when you might get this opportunity again and it’s something we both couldn’t pass up,” Fullenkamp added. 

The game will air on ABC and starts at 8 p.m.