Tuesday, June 10

Sports Mole previews Thursday's NBA Finals clash between Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

With the series finely poised at one win apiece, the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder will go in search of a 2-1 lead when they lock horns in Game Three of the 2025 NBA finals on Thursday.

The away side delivered an instant response to their Game One defeat to restore parity last time out ahead of the first of two crunch encounters at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

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Match preview

 

After pulling off yet another stunning comeback in the first instalment of this year's finals, the Indiana Pacers had the chance to move within two wins of an NBA championship but were sent crashing back down to earth by a roaring Thunder outfit.

Rick Carlisle's men were dominated from start to finish as they led for under two of the 48 minutes of action en route to a 123-107 loss, which represents their third joint-largest margin of defeat in the playoffs so far.

Nonetheless, a 1-1 scoreline after the opening two matches away from home represents a decent return for the Pacers ahead of their return to home court, where they saw off the New York Knicks in their most recent outing to emerge champions of the Eastern Conference.

Off the back of yet another underwhelming first-half display in the series, Tyrese Haliburton has challenged himself to get better early on in games and will need to be on song if his side are to bounce back from Monday's defeat.

Thursday's hosts are still yet to lose consecutive games in the current postseason, although they have been beaten in the opening home match of each of their last two series against the Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Oklahoma City Thunder served up a reminder of why they ended the recently concluded regular season with an NBA-best 68-14 record with a commanding display to claim a series-equalising win at the PayCom Center last time out.

Leading by a whopping 19 points, Mark Daigneault's men virtually had the game done and dusted at the end of the third quarter before putting on a professional performance down the stretch to close things out and avoid a repeat of their Game One collapse.

Continuing his compelling case to be named finals MVP should the Thunder go all the way, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander logged a fourth consecutive 30-point game with 34 points on 11-21 shooting to go along with five rebounds and eight assists.

However, the reigning MVP had help from the likes of Alex Caruso, Jalen Williams, Aaron Wiggins and Chet Holmgren, who combined for 72 points while also playing solid defence on the other end of the floor.

Having shown a vulnerability on enemy territory, where they are 2-3 across their last five matches since sweeping the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round, Thursday's visitors will be wary of suffering another defeat away from home.

Indiana Pacers NBA Playoffs form:

Oklahoma City Thunder NBA Playoffs form:

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Team News

Isaiah Jackson is a guaranteed absentee for the Indiana Pacers due to a calf problem which has kept him out of action since the second week of the regular season.

Jarace Walker has missed the opening two matches of the grand finale through an ankle problem, but the 21-year-old could make his comeback in Game Three.

Nikola Topic is still awaiting his OKC debut as he continues to battle with an anterior cruciate ligament issue, although the Serbian is expected at the start of next season.

While he is usually known for his defensive prowess, Alex Caruso provided an offensive splurge last time out as he joined James Harden to become just the second player in Thunder history to tally 20 points off the bench in a finals game.

Daigneault has stuck with Cason Wallace over Isaiah Hartenstein in the starting lineup all series long, and it would be a surprise if that were to change in Thursday's clash.

Indiana Pacers possible starting lineup:

Haliburton, Nembhard; Nesmith, Siakam; Turner

Oklahoma City Thunder possible starting lineup:

Gilgeous-Alexander, Dort; Wallace, Williams; Holmgren

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We say: Thunder to win by 6+ points

The Thunder flexed their muscles to claim a routine win last time out but will be expecting a sterner test in Indianapolis on Thursday.

Nonetheless, we are backing the Western Conference champions to emerge victorious and put themselves in the driving seat to claim the Larry O'Brien trophy.

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