The NBA Finals kicked off in Oklahoma City where the Thunder and Pacers split the first two games. Now we move to Gainbridge Fieldhouse where Rick Carlisle and company will now enjoy home court.
Will Shai Gilgeous-Alexander lead his team to stealing a road game? Let’s talk hoops!
NBA Finals Game 3 Information
- Gainbridge Fieldhouse – Indianapolis, IN
- #1 Oklahoma City Thunder visit #4 Indiana Pacers
- Previous Matchup: OKC 123-107, June 8, 2025
- Series is tied 1-1
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Haliburton is injured and the Pacers might be in trouble.
Oklahoma City Thunder @ Indiana Pacers – NBA Finals Game 3
Game 2 played out more similarly to people’s expectations coming into the NBA Finals. The Oklahoma City Thunder looked like the team that dominated the regular season. We even saw coach Rick Carlisle go to his bench. A surprising move considering all the comebacks they’ve made this postseason. It is more than likely the coach who is a former champion knew that it just wasn’t their night.
The Thunder’s largest lead was 23 points. They dominated the paint, shot well from everywhere, and cleaned the glass. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander continued his phenomenal run this postseason with 34 points. Furthermore, Isaiah Hartenstein continued to beat up on Indiana’s second unit. The Pacers will need to make several adjustments as they head back to friendly confines as they never held a lead after the first frame.
GAME 3 TONIGHT 🍿
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dropped 34 PTS in OKC’s series-tying Game 2 win, and now holds the record for most total points in a player’s first two Finals games.
With things even at 1-1, the action shifts to Indiana.
Game 3 of the #NBAFinals presented by… pic.twitter.com/hGtTRarOF5
— NBA (@NBA) June 11, 2025
NBA Finals Game 3 Analysis
The Pacers path to victory is finding themselves in transition again. Oklahoma City was successful in turning Game 2 into half-court sets. There were a total of just 13 fast-break points, with Indiana having just nine. Oklahoma City is okay with their four fast-break points because they were able to stop Indiana from forcing their play style onto the game. If Indiana wants to get right here, they’ll need to be back to roaring into the open floor. Luckily for them, they’ll have the home crowd helping to rev their engines.
Pascal Siakam has been their best transition player with 5.9 points per game. If Indiana is running, he’s scoring. Nembhard (3.3), Nesmith (3.2), Mathurin (2.8), and Haliburton (2.8) are the other notable fast-break scorers. So, if you believe in the Pacers tonight, one or several of these players should score very well.
Conclusively, Indiana needs all hands on deck. Tyrese Haliburton was looking hobbled last game and even talked about dealing with a leg injury in the postgame presser. Conversely, SGA has looked as healthy as any human being on the planet. A total of 72 points in the last two games is absolutely incredible.
The Thunder’s path to victory requires them to limit Indiana from deep. The Pacers were the No. 1 team from beyond the arc coming into the series at 40% shooting from three in the playoffs. In Game 2, Mark Daigneault had his team blitzing shooters. Moreover, they held Indiana to just 35% from beyond the arc. If the Pacers are not careful, Game 1 might be their only win of this series. OKC was the best team at defending the three during the regular season. Perhaps, the Thunder have unlocked the formula to winning this series.
Humpday Holmgren
We have been waiting for this moment for all our lives. Chet’s favorite day of the week. The one in the middle. Here are Holmgren’s scoring averages by day of the week:
- Monday: 5 Games Played – 10.0 ppg.
- Tuesday: 2 Games Played – 16.0 ppg.
- Wednesday: 7 Games Played – 20.3 ppg.
- Thursday: 3 Games Played – 13.3 ppg.
- Friday: 7 Games Played – 14.3 ppg.
- Saturday: 2 Games Played – 15.5 ppg.
- Sunday: 6 Games Played – 14.0 ppg.
We followed this logic the last time he played on a Wednesday! Check out Humpday Holmgren below:
Key Outlier.Bet NBA Insights
- The Oklahoma City Thunder are 25-13 (65.8%) ATS in their last 38 games as a favorite.
- The over hit in six of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s last nine games as a favorite.
- Isaiah Hartenstein has exceeded 7.5 rebounds in 16 of his last 19 games vs. bottom-10 defenses for rebounds allowed. He averages 11.2 rebounds per game. He has been beating up on Indiana’s second unit and they may not have an answer for the big man.
- Ben Sheppard has exceeded 4.5 PRA in five straight games at home. He averages 7.6 PRA in Gainbridge. You want a really nasty sweat? Well, here’s one.
NBA Finals Game 3 Best Bet: Chet Holmgren o14.5 Points (-120)
Humpday Holmgren. That. Is. The. Analysis.
Just kidding. We have seen this before. A player builds momentum as they go through the postseason. Chet missed 50 games and he might be hitting his stride now. Against two high-paced teams in the T’Wolves and Memphis, Chet averaged well above this points line. Head-to-head, he has hit this line in three of four. It has been an absolute sweat with a median of 15. Don’t tail this.
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