Have Thunder proven to be superior to Pacers despite 1-1 tie in NBA Finals?
USA TODAY Sports’ Jeff Zillgitt breaks down the mentality of both the the Pacers and Thunder as the tied series heads back to Indy for Game 3 and 4.
Sports Pulse
The Pacers shocked the basketball world when they upset the Thunder in Oklahoma City 111-110 on a game-winning shot from Tyrese Haliburton with 0.3 seconds remaining to take a 1-0 series lead in the NBA Finals.
In Game 2, the Thunder responded in a big way, holding on to a double-digit lead this time and finishing the job in a 123-107 victory versus the Pacers.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continues to showcase why he was named league MVP, as he scored 34+ points for a fourth consecutive game and 30+ in his 13th of 18 playoff games this postseason. Perhaps more notably was that Gilgeous-Alexander dished out eight assists and recorded four steals, a playoff-best for the 26-year-old superstar.
The NBA Finals series now shifts to Indiana for the first time in a quarter century, with Gainbridge Fieldhouse expected to be electrifying for the organization’s first appearance and the series tied at 1-1.
Now the question becomes: will the Pacers achieve what they did versus the 2000 Los Angeles Lakers — led by Hall of Famers Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant — and win Game 3 on their home court, or will the Thunder steal one on the road to take a 2-1 series lead?
Here are the betting odds, and our breakdown on the spread, total and moneyline prediction for Game 3 between Thunder and Pacers in the NBA Finals:
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Wednesday, June 11:
Thunder vs. Pacers spread: Thunder -5.5 (-105), Pacers +5.5 (-115)
After the Thunder closed as double-digit favorites in the first two games — including 11.5-point home favorites in Game 2 — that number’s now been cut in half as the line ahead of Game 3.
This isn’t completely surprising considering the Pacers are 6-2 at home in these playoffs and won by eight or more points in all but one of those wins.
While the Thunder have been nearly unbeatable at home (9-2) this postseason, they’ve been more susceptible on the road, posting only a 4-3 record through the first three rounds.
Furthermore, NBA teams after a straight up loss this year are 42-22 against the spread (ATS) in the next game, which is more than three times the return on investment of the next best season in the last 20 years of the playoffs.
Could the Thunder continue to dominate like they did in Game 2? There’s absolutely a chance the best NBA team in the league by far this season could do so.
However, given the numbers and trends, I’m on the Pacers here to cover the spread as home underdogs here in Game 3.
Prediction:Â Pacers +5.5 (-115)
Thunder vs. Pacers total: Over 228.5 points (-110), Under 228.5 points (-110)
The over in Game 2 didn’t seem likely until the Thunder and Pacers combined for 130 points in the second half, including 63 in the fourth quarter alone.
A large part of that was both teams shooting 45 percent or better from the field and each making 14 three-pointers on Sunday night.
A big reason why was Thunder role players Alex Caruso and Aaron Wiggins combined to make nine of their 16 three-point attempts for Oklahoma City.
Could there be better shooting performances in line for the Pacers’ Pascal Siakam (3-for-11) and the Thunder’s Jalen Williams (5-of-14) on Wednesday night? Yes.
But I don’t expect Caruso and Wiggins to shoot as well as they did this time around.
It won’t be by much at all, but I’m betting that the total will stay just under this line of 228.5 points for Game 3.
Prediction:Â Under 228.5 points (-110)
Thunder vs. Pacers moneyline: Thunder -220 (Bet $220 to win $100), Pacers +180 (Bet $100 to win $180)
Today marks the 25-year anniversary since the Pacers won their first ever NBA Finals game when they defeated the Lakers 100-91 in Game 3 on June 11, 2000.
Gainbridge Fieldhouse will be a madhouse even prior to when the Thunder and Pacers tip-off. Indiana fans have been waiting so long to see a championship contest take place on their home court.
It’ll be no easy task, but can Indiana continue their home court dominance against SGA and the Thunder?
Unlike in Game 3 where the Thunder led by double digits and even 20+ points for a majority of Game 2, Indiana will respond here and the Pacers take a 2-1 series lead following a close, tightly contested game throughout on Wednesday evening in Indy.
Prediction: Pacers 115, Thunder 109What time is Thunder vs Pacers Game 3 today?Date:Â Wednesday, June 11Time:Â 8 p.m.
The best-of-seven NBA Finals shifts with Game 3 in Indiana, with tip-off coming shortly after 8 p.m. on Wednesday.
What channel is Thunder vs Pacers Game 3 today?
Watch Thunder vs Pacers NBA Finals Game 3 live on Fubo
Thunder, Pacers odds to win NBA Finals going into Game 3
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Wednesday, June 11:
Thunder:Â -600 (Bet $600 to win $100)
Pacers:Â +425 (Bet $100 to win $425)
Who are the betting favorites to win Finals MVP ahead of Game 3?
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Wednesday, June 11:
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder):Â -550
Tyrese Haliburton (Pacers):Â 7/1 (+700)
Pascal Siakam (Pacers):Â 19/1 (+1900)
Andrew Nembhard (Pacers): 40/1 (+4000)
Jalen Williams (Thunder):Â 50/1 (+5000)
Chet Holmgren (Thunder):Â 100/1 (+10000)
Myles Turner (Pacers): 125/1 (+12500)
Luguentz Dort (Thunder) and Aaron Nesmith (Pacers): 500/1 (+50000)