The Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder duke it out in a crucial Game 2 of the NBA Finals at the Paycom Center on Sunday night. Here’s a Thunder vs Pacers Prediction. This article will include a Thunder vs Pacers Pick.
Indiana Pacers Betting Preview
The Indiana Pacers will be looking to steal another road game after taking down the Thunder in a thrilling 111-110 comeback victory in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Pascal Siakam led the team in scoring with 19 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists. Obi Toppin added 17 points on six of nine shooting off the bench. Myles Turner scored 15 points with nine rebounds and three blocks, while Tyrese Haliburton tallied 14 points with 10 rebounds and six assists.
As a team, the Pacers shot 47 percent from the field and 18 of 39 from the 3-point line as they got off to a slow start and scored just 45 points in the first half, where they committed a horrid 18 turnovers. However, the Pacers hung tough and stayed within striking distance until they closed the final 2:38 on a 12-2 run capped by a clutch shot from Haliburton to steal the lead with just 0.3 seconds left on the clock.
Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder will be hoping to bounce back after getting shocked by the Pacers in a heartbreaking defeat at home in Game 1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way with a game-high 38 points with five rebounds and three assists on 14 of 30 shooting, Jalen Williams added 17 points with six assists while Luguentz Dort chipped in with 15 points, but no other player scored more than 11 points.
As a team, the Thunder shot just 39 percent from the field and 11 of 30 from the 3-point line as they dominated the first half with their smothering defense to lead by as many as 15 points at one stage. However, the Thunder couldn’t make their shots when it mattered most, as they scored just two points in the final 2:51 to allow the Pacers to run them down in a tough defeat in front of a packed house.
Why the Oklahoma City Thunder will win
- The Pacers have lost each of their last nine games against Northwest Division opponents after winning as underdogs.
- The Thunder have won 18 of their last 19 games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Thunder have covered the spread in nine of their last 10 games against Eastern Conference opponents.
- The Pacers have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five games against Northwest Division opponents after winning as underdogs.
Why the Indiana Pacers will win
- The Pacers have won seven of their last eight playoff games as road underdogs.
- The Thunder have lost each of their last five NBA Finals games.
- The Pacers have covered the spread in seven of their last eight road games.
- The Thunder have failed to cover the spread in each of their last five NBA Finals games.
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.
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.
Thunder vs Pacers Prediction
The Pacers are still slightly shorthanded with Isaiah Jackson and Jarace Walker out again, while the Thunder are still missing Nikola Topic. The Pacers must be brimming with confidence following their dramatic comeback victory in Game 1 as they really had everything going against them in the first half where they could’ve easily trailed big after committing 18 turnovers before halftime. In contrast, the Thunder will be kicking themselves after dropping a game they definitely should have won, and you have to wonder if they will go with a smaller lineup once again with Chet Holmgren coming off the bench.
The Thunder have opened as bigger favorites than they were in the series opener, which is expected given that they just can’t afford to fall behind 0-2 in the series going to Indiana. I think the Thunder square up the series with a gritty win here, but the line just seems a little too high for me. So, I will lean towards the Pacers and the hefty start in what should be another thrilling contest.