The Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers meet Thursday in NBA action at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Here’s a Pacers vs Thunder Prediction. This article will include a Pacers vs Thunder Pick.
Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Preview
The Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Rockets opening night, and then play the Hawks and Mavericks next. The Thunder look for a third straight 2-0 start to the NBA season.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are averaging 125 points on 44.2 percent shooting and allowing 124 points on 44.3 percent shooting. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 35 points and 5 assists, while Chet Holmgren is averaging 28 points and 7 rebounds. Ajay Mitchell is the third double-digit scorer and Cason Wallace is grabbing 7 rebounds. The Oklahoma City Thunder are shooting 25 percent from beyond the arc and 80 percent from the free throw line. The Oklahoma City Thunder are allowing 28.2 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 38 rebounds per game.
Indiana Pacers Betting Preview
The Indiana Pacers won 50 games last season and are coming off an NBA Finals appearance. After a recent three-year stretch of not making the playoffs, basketball is exciting again in Indiana.
The Pacers core that made last season’s run is still here for the most part. Andrew Nembhard and Bennedict Mathurin showed to be a productive back court that defends and can shoot. Pascal Siakam is playing inspired basketball again and looks like an all-start, while Aaron Nesmith saw his stock probably improve the most throughout the playoffs. Myles Turner isn’t around anymore, but that opens the door for an expanded role for Isaiah Jackson. The big blow is obviously no Tyrese Haliburton, and he’s expected to miss the entire year with a torn Achilles. However, this Pacers squad is deep and shouldn’t be taken lightly, as proven a few months ago.
Why the Indiana Pacers will win
- The Thunder have lost each of their last five games as road favorites following a win.
- The Pacers have won three of their last four games as home underdogs.
- The Thunder have failed to cover the spread in each of their last seven road games following a win.
- The home team has covered the spread in five of the Pacers’ last six games.
Why the Oklahoma City Thunder will win
- The Thunder have won each of their last six road openers against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Pacers have lost three of their last four games.
- The Thunder have covered the spread in six of their last seven games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- The Pacers have failed to cover the spread in three of their last four games.
Total Points Facts
- Eight of the Thunder’s last nine road openers have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Seven of the Pacers’ last eight games as home underdogs have gone UNDER the total points line.
Oklahoma City Thunder Player Facts
- Isaiah Hartenstein ranks T1st amongst qualified players for FT% (100.0%) this season.
- Chet Holmgren ranks T1st amongst qualified players for FT% (100.0%) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Thunder rank 1st in the league for steals per game this season (12.0).
- The Thunder rank 1st in the league for opponent turnovers per game this season (25.0).
Pacers vs Thunder Injury Report
The Thunder will be without Thomas Sorber and Kenrich Williams due to knee injuries. Alex Caruso, Jalen Williams and Isaiah Joe are also out. Luguentz Dort and Cason Wallace are questionable.
The Pacers will be without Tyrese Haliburton, T.J. McConnell, Kam Jones, and Quenton Jackson.
Pacers vs Thunder Prediction
The Thunder are going to be favored pretty much every game this season, and they’ve cashed tickets left and right over the last two years. However, the Thunder just played a double overtime game and are now being thrown into another contest early in the season where guys are still getting their feet wet. Also, that Thunder injury report is massive and does raise some eyebrows if they’re going to be down so many players.
The Pacers are rested, at home, and despite some injuries themselves, they’re healthy for the most part when talking about key rotation guys. This is also a rematch of the NBA Finals, and I know the Pacers will have a nasty taste in their mouth for this matchup. I’m sure many believe the Pacers win that game 7 if Haliburton doesn’t get hurt. The Pacers will have some extra juice for this game. Give me the points.