The Indiana Pacers pay a visit to the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Paycom Center on Friday night. Here’s a Thunder vs Pacers Prediction. This article will include a Thunder vs Pacers Pick.
Indiana Pacers Betting Preview
The Indiana Pacers have been in decent shape as they’ve lost four of their last five games overall and they are now on a three-game losing streak after getting trounced by the Celtics in a 119-104 road defeat on Wednesday. Pascal Siakam led the team with 32 points, 10 rebounds and four assists on 12 of 21 shooting, Jarace Walker added 19 points off the bench while Johnny Furphy chipped in with 10 points but no other player finished in double figures in scoring. As a team, the Pacers shot just 39 percent from the field and 12 of 45 from the 3-point line as they struggled to keep pace with the Celtics from the tipoff. They were always fighting an uphill battle after getting outscored by 66-46 in the first half. Ben Sheppard had a quiet game of just eight points on two of eight shooting while Andrew Nembhard shot just three of 11 from the field for his nine points.
Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder have been in red-hot form as they’ve won 11 of their last 14 games overall and they will be aiming for a third straight victory after blowing past the Bucks in a 122-102 road win on Wednesday. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the team with 40 points, seven rebounds and 11 assists on 16 of 19 shooting, Ajay Mitchell and Kenrich Williams each scored 18 points while Luguentz Dort chipped in with 13 points. As a team, the Thunder shot 54 percent from the field and 14 of 36 from the 3-point line as they jumped all over the Bucks from the start and dominated the first quarter by 38-18. This was more than enough of a cushion to hold off the Bucks, especially with Gilgeous-Alexander barely missing a shot all night.
Why the Oklahoma City Thunder will win
- The Pacers have lost each of their last 16 road games against teams that held a winning record.
- The Thunder have won 48 of their last 49 games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Thunder have covered the spread in eight of their last nine home games against Central Division opponents.
- The Pacers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four games against teams that held a winning record.
Why the Indiana Pacers will win
- The Pacers have won three of their last five games as underdogs against the Thunder following a loss.
- The Thunder have lost six of their last seven games against Pacers teams that held a losing record.
- The Pacers have covered the spread in each of their last four games against the Thunder following a road loss.
- The Thunder have failed to cover the spread in five of their last six night games against Eastern Conference opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Pacers’ last seven games as underdogs have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Four of the Thunder’s last five home games against Eastern Conference opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
Thunder vs Pacers Prediction
The Pacers are still missing some players with Bennedict Mathurin, Obi Toppin, and Tyrese Haliburton out with Quenton Jackson listed as questionable. The Thunder have ruled out Alex Caruso, Jalen Williams, Ajay Mitchell, and Isaiah Hartenstein with Jaylin Williams and Aaron Wiggins both listed as questionable. The Pacers have been in terrible shape lately, but they were one of the few teams to really challenge the Thunder this season as they lost by just 135-141 in double overtime back on Oct. 23. The Thunder have opened as massive favorites in this one, which comes as no surprise. But while I can’t picture anything but an easy win for the Thunder at home, something tells me the Pacers are going to hang around long enough to get a backdoor in this spot.