Indiana Pacers (15-15) vs Oklahoma City Thunder (23-6)
December 26, 2024 at 07:00 PM EST
The Line: Betting Odds: Indiana Pacers +4.5 — Over/Under: 226.5
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder have been in red-hot form as they’ve won 12 of their past 14 games overall and they will be gunning for a fourth straight victory after blowing past the lowly Wizards in a 123-105 home win on Monday. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the team with 41 points, nine rebounds, three assists, three steals, and three blocks, Jalen Williams added 17 points while Isaiah Hartenstein chipped in with 16 points but no other player finished in double figures in scoring. As a team, the Thunder shot 44 percent from the field and 10 of 38 from the 3-point line as they poured in 38 points in the second quarter to take the narrow lead into halftime, before they dominated the fourth quarter by 32-18 to make it look easy in the end. Isaiah Joe scored just five points on one of eight shooting while Luguentz Dort finished scoreless on zero of six shooting.
Indiana Pacers
Meanwhile, the Indiana Pacers have been in a groove as they’ve won six of their last seven games overall and they will be eager to build on their current five-game win streak after sneaking past the Warriors in a 111-105 road win on Monday. Myles Turner led the team with 23 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks, Pascal Siakam added 20 points on nine of 18 shooting while Tyrese Haliburton chipped in with 16 points and 12 assists. As a team, the Pacers shot 48 percent from the field and 11 of 35 from the 3-point line as they squandered a 12-point lead in the fourth quarter before they closed the final 3:45 on a 13-8 run to escape with the narrow win on the road. After this one, the Pacers will take on the Celtics in a b2b set and then will meet the Bucks.
Why the Oklahoma City Thunder will win
- The Thunder have won 14 of their last 15 games against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back.
- The Pacers have lost 11 of their last 13 games against Northwest Division opponents after winning as underdogs.
- The Thunder have covered the spread in nine of their last 10 road games against opponents who are on the first leg of a back-to-back.
- The Pacers have failed to cover the spread in five of their last six night games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Thunder’s last four night games against the Pacers following a home win has gone UNDER the total points line.
- Each of the Pacers’ last four games against Western Conference opponents has gone UNDER the total points line.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Indiana Pacers Prediction
The Thunder are still missing Chet Holmgren and Alex Caruso, while the Pacers have ruled out Aaron Nesmith again and they have Myles Turner listed as questionable. The Thunder are coming into this meeting as one of the hottest teams in the league at the moment and, so they’re tempting at the short line, but they’ve run into a Pacers team that is playing some great basketball right now. It’s hard to split these two teams at the moment, but I have to give the edge to the more consistent Thunder in what should be a close one.