| MATCHUP | Oklahoma City Thunder | Indiana Pacers |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 2-0 | 0-1 |
| Where | Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN | |
| When | Thursday, October 23, 2025 | |
| Time | 07:30 PM EDT | |
| TV | ESPN | |
The Oklahoma City Thunder pay a visit to the Indiana Pacers at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Thursday night. Here’s a Oklahoma City Thunder vs Indiana Pacers NBA Prediction. This article will include a Oklahoma City Thunder vs Indiana Pacers Pick.
Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Preview
The Oklahoma City Thunder will be looking for an encore performance after outlasting the Rockets in a 125-124 double overtime victory on Tuesday night. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander got off to a slow start, but turned it on late to lead the team with 35 points, five rebounds, and five assists on 12 of 26 shooting. Chet Holmgren led the team with 28 points on 11 of 17 shooting. Ajay Mitchell provided the spark off the bench with 16 points in 15 minutes of action while Cason Wallace chipped in with 14 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and four steals.
As a team, the Thunder shot 44 percent from the field and 13 of 52 from the 3-point line as they struggled against the size of the Rockets’ starting lineup. They trailed for most of the contest, before they turned to Gilgeous-Alexander who drained the game-winning free throws with just 2.3 seconds left in the second overtime to escape with the narrow victory at home.
Indiana Pacers Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Indiana Pacers were one of the dark horses last season as they tallied up 50 wins to earn the 4th seed in the East. They turned it on in the playoffs to make it all the way to the NBA Finals. Pascal Siakam led the team in scoring as he averaged 20.2 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game, Tyrese Haliburton averaged 18.6 points and 9.2 assists per game, Bennedict Mathurin averaged 16.1 points and 5.3 rebounds per game while Myles Turner averaged 15.6 points per game.
As a team, the Pacers scored 117.4 points per game while shooting 48.8 percent from the field and 36.8 percent from the 3-point line. Unfortunately, the Pacers will look different this time round, as Haliburton suffered an Achilles tendon injury and will miss the entire season. Myles Turner has been traded away to the Bucks in a surprise move that signals that the Pacers’ management aren’t looking to contend during this campaign. Expectations are modest for the Pacers, as they didn’t make any noise in the offseason in terms of player acquisitions. It will be up to the role players like TJ McConnell and Andrew Nembhard to carry the backcourt and support Siakam who should see an uptick in scoring.
Why the Indiana Pacers will win
- The Thunder have lost each of their last five games as road favorites following a home win.
- The Pacers have won three of their last four games as home underdogs against Western Conference opponents.
- The Thunder have failed to cover the spread in each of their last seven games as road favorites following a win.
- The home team has covered the spread in five of the last six games between the Thunder and Pacers.
Why the Oklahoma City Thunder will win
- The Thunder have won nine of their last 10 games when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- The Pacers have lost three of their last four games against Western Conference opponents.
- The Thunder have covered the spread in six of their last seven road openers.
- The Pacers have failed to cover the spread in three of their last four games as underdogs.
Total Points Facts
- Seven of the Thunder’s last eight games after coming off overtime have gone OVER the total points line.
- Five of the Pacers’ last six home games against Northwest Division opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
Oklahoma City Thunder Player Facts
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is one of only six qualified players in the league averaging at least 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks this season.
- Aaron Wiggins is one of only 44 qualified Guards in the league shooting at least 50% from the field this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Thunder rank 1st in the league for three-point field goal attempts per game this season (52.0).
- The Thunder rank 1st in the league for field goal attempts per game this season (104.0).
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Indiana Pacers Prediction
The Thunder are going to be shorthanded once again with Isaiah Joe, Jalen Williams and Kenrich Williams all out, while the Pacers are missing Tyrese Haliburton, TJ McConnell, Quenton Jackson and Kam Jones. The Thunder expectedly open as road favorites in this matchup, as they’re coming in with an identical squad, while the Pacers are playing without two of their best performers from last season in Turner and Haliburton.
The line is a bit heftier than I would like, but the Thunder were able to shake off some rust in their season opener. I think they can take care of business on the road against this weakened Pacers outfit. I do like the Thunder to get the win on the road, but the Pacers will be up for this matchup after what happened in the NBA Finals last season, so I am taking the points in this spot.