The Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers meet Wednesday in the NBA Finals Game 3 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 look for another win to take a 2-1 series lead. The Thunder are 4-3 SU on the road this postseason. The Thunder have lost two of their three game 3s this postseason.
The Oklahoma City Thunder are averaging 117 points on 46.1 percent shooting and allowing 106.6 points on 42.9 percent shooting. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 30.4 points and 6.8 assists, while Jalen Williams is averaging 20.2 points and 5.6 rebounds. Chet Holmgren is the third double-digit scorer, and Alex Caruso is grabbing 2.6 rebounds. The Oklahoma City Thunder are shooting 34 percent from beyond the arc and 80.1 percent from the free-throw line. The Oklahoma City Thunder are allowing 34 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 43.9 rebounds per game.
Indiana Pacers Betting Preview
The Indiana Pacers also look to take a 2-1 series lead. The Pacers are 6-2 SU at home this postseason. The Pacers haven’t lost two straight games since March 8-10.
The Indiana Pacers are averaging 116.4 points on 49.4 percent shooting and allowing 113.6 points on 45.2 percent shooting. Pascal Siakam is averaging 20.6 points and 6.1 rebounds, while Tyrese Haliburton is averaging 18.4 points and 5.8 rebounds. Myles Turner is the third double-digit scorer, and Aaron Nesmith is grabbing 5.8 rebounds. The Indiana Pacers are shooting 40.1 percent from beyond the arc and 79 percent from the free-throw line. The Indiana Pacers are allowing 33.9 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 40.2 rebounds per game.
Why the Indiana Pacers will win
- The Pacers have won each of their last nine games following a loss.
- The Thunder have lost each of their last six NBA Finals road games.
- The Thunder have failed to cover the spread in each of their last eight road games against teams that held a winning record.
- The Pacers have covered the spread in each of their last six playoff games following a loss.
Why the Oklahoma City Thunder will win
- The Thunder have won 19 of their last 20 games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Pacers have lost each of their last four Game 3s of a playoff series.
- The Thunder have covered the spread in 10 of their last 11 games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Pacers have failed to cover the spread in five of their last six games as home underdogs against Western Conference opponents following a loss.
Indiana Pacers Player Facts
- Tyrese Haliburton ranks 1st amongst qualified players for assist:turnover ratio (5.6) this season.
- Myles Turner ranks 1st in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for Blocks Per Game (2.0) this season.
Oklahoma City Thunder Player Facts
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ranks 1st amongst qualified players for points per game (32.7) this season.
- Cason Wallace ranks 3rd amongst qualified players for steals per game (1.8) this season.
Pacers vs Thunder Injury Report
The Pacers will be without Isaiah Jackson due to an Achilles injury. Jarace Walker is out for a third straight game due to an ankle injury. Walker has played 117 minutes in these playoffs, scoring 36 points, grabbing 21 rebounds, and dishing eight assists.
The Thunder will be without Nikola Topic due to a knee injury.
Pacers vs Thunder Prediction
As I’ve said endless times this season, the Thunder are the safest bet in sports, and I wouldn’t talk you off the ledge if looking in their direction. The Thunder are 63-34-4 ATS on the season, which is an insane ROI. With that said, I’m still leaning toward the Pacers and the points. The Pacers have been underdogs all postseason, and here they are three wins away from a title. The Pacers are 9-4 SU in their last 13 home games as an underdog.
The Pacers haven’t lost two straight games since March 10. Also, while the Thunder have been cash cows overall, they’re just 6-10 ATS in their last 16 games. The Thunder aren’t cashing tickets in the postseason the way they did in the regular season. I still think the Pacers are a live dog, so I’ll be on the ML as well. However, for the pick, give me the points for insurance.