Indiana Pacers vs
Oklahoma City ThunderPredictions & Preview

Pacers and Thunder Gear Up for Crucial Game 5 in NBA Finals as Oklahoma City Holds Favorite Status

The NBA postseason has narrowed down to the final two teams, the Pacers and the Thunder, who are gearing up for a crucial Game 5 in their best-of-seven series. After some back-and-forth victories, Oklahoma City is currently the favorite to win Game 5 with a line of -9.5 remaining unchanged. The outcome of this pivotal game will determine which team will be on the brink of a championship as the series heads back to Indiana for Game 6.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Pacers +332 | Thunder -414
• Spread: Pacers +9.5 (-110) | Thunder -9.5 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 224 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Oklahoma City will win straight-up is 81%.

Indiana vs Oklahoma City Stats

Indiana Pacers

In Game 4 of the Finals, the Indiana Pacers fell short against the Oklahoma City Thunder after leading for most of the game. Despite their efforts, the Pacers were outscored in the final minutes and now find themselves tied in the series. With key players like Pascal Siakam leading the team, the Pacers are hoping to secure their first franchise title by winning at least one more game in Oklahoma City. In the postseason, Indiana has shown strength in scoring offense and assists, but struggles defensively in allowing points. The Pacers have a strong shooting percentage but lack in rebounding. Injuries have also affected the team, with Jarace Walker unlikely to return to the lineup according to coach Rick Carlisle. Overall, Indiana is ranked 9 in power ranking, with solid offensive stats but room for improvement defensively.

Oklahoma City Thunder Analysis

The Oklahoma City Thunder staged a fourth-quarter rally in Game 4 to even the series at two games apiece. They now look to claim a 3-2 series lead in Game 5. Despite trailing throughout the game, the Thunder closed on a 12-1 run to secure the win. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the team with 35 points. This postseason, the Thunder rank 2nd in scoring offense, tied for 5th in rebounding, and 5th in assists. Gilgeous-Alexander leads the team in points, rebounds, and assists. The Thunder have multiple scoring options and contributors, with solid shooting percentages and defensive rankings. In their matchup against Indiana, the Thunder have a power ranking of 2 and rank highly for both offense and defense.

Oklahoma City Strategy Pays Off in Game 4; Pacers Face Tough Road Ahead

Oklahoma City successfully broke their road playoff game losing streak by winning Game 4, giving them momentum and home court advantage. Meanwhile, Indiana faltered in crunch time, potentially affecting their chances in the series. Despite this setback, the Pacers possess quality depth and talent to compete with the Thunder. While Oklahoma City has the momentum, it is important to note that only one of the first four games had a double-digit margin of victory. Therefore, while the Thunder are likely to win, betting on a large victory margin is risky. In conclusion, the Thunder are favored to win, but it may be wise to take the points and bet on the Pacers to cover the spread.

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