Thunder and Pacers Battle in Tied NBA Finals

The 2025 NBA Finals are off to a chaotic, physical start, and the series is exactly where it should be—deadlocked at 1-1. Indiana stunned Oklahoma City in Game 1, then OKC stormed back with a dominant win in Game 2. Now the series heads to Indiana for two straight games, and the tension couldn’t be higher.

For those browsing NBA betting platforms, this is the kind of series that keeps bettors locked in. Neither team has blinked. Every quarter, every rotation change, every hot shooting stretch has made a difference. The Finals haven’t had this kind of parity in years. The Thunder have the talent. The Pacers have the grit. And now, we’re about to find out who has the edge when the crowd gets hostile and the pressure tightens.

Let’s not waste time. Here’s where things stand—and how this series is shaping up for fans and bettors alike.

Game 1: Haliburton’s Moment

Indiana stole Game 1 on the road in wild fashion. After trailing by 15 points heading into the fourth, the Pacers leaned on defense and ball movement to claw back. Tyrese Haliburton, who had been relatively quiet for three quarters, came alive down the stretch. With less than a second on the clock, he drilled a mid-range jumper to win it 111-110. Just like that, the Pacers took home-court advantage and punched OKC in the mouth.

SGA dropped 38 in the loss, but it didn’t matter. The Pacers made the right plays at the right times. They crashed the glass, they forced turnovers, and they closed with poise. The Thunder looked stunned—and needed to regroup fast.

Game 2: SGA Responds

They did. Oklahoma City didn’t just respond in Game 2—they unloaded. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 34 points on efficient shooting, moved the ball well, and attacked the rim at will. The Thunder shot nearly 50% from the field, their bench chipped in close to 40 points, and their defense clamped down on Haliburton, who finished with a frustrating 17 on poor efficiency.

Chet Holmgren played with more edge. Jalen Williams was aggressive. And the Thunder’s tempo overwhelmed Indiana early. It was 32-20 after the first quarter, and the Pacers never fully recovered. The final score—123-107—says a lot. When the Thunder control pace, they’re nearly unbeatable.

But it’s still 1-1. And that’s where the real chess match begins.

Finals Update

In the 2025 NBA Finals update, it has moved to Indianapolis, and there’s serious pressure on both teams. Indiana has the crowd and the momentum swing from Game 1. Oklahoma City has the talent and Game 2 statement win. Neither side has an edge that feels safe. This is a coin-flip series—and exactly what makes the NBA Finals so compelling.

For bettors, the line reflects the parity. Game 3 has OKC favored slightly on the road, but not by much. The over/under is tight. Prop bets around SGA and Haliburton are loaded with action. The market is open—and reactive to every possession.

What to Watch in Game 3

Indiana’s biggest advantage might be emotional. They haven’t been in the Finals since 2000. Their crowd is starving. Game 3 is expected to be loud, physical, and full of edge. Haliburton, Turner, and McConnell feed off that energy. They play harder at home, and they’ll need to match OKC’s athleticism for four full quarters.

For the Thunder, it’s about staying calm. Shai has proven he can score anywhere. But it’s the bench that has to travel well. Aaron Wiggins and Alex Caruso combined for nine threes in Game 2. That kind of support can’t disappear just because the building is louder. If the Thunder’s second unit holds up, they take the series back.

A major swing factor is the turnover battle. Indiana turned it over 25 times in Game 1 but cleaned that up in Game 2. They’ll need that trend to continue. OKC loves to run—and they thrive off live-ball turnovers. When the Thunder get transition buckets, they put games away quickly.

Tempo will also matter. Indiana wants a more deliberate game. OKC wants to run. Game 1 was played at Indy’s pace. Game 2 tilted fast in OKC’s direction. Whoever controls that aspect early usually leads by the half.

Tyrese Haliburton has to get back into playmaker mode. His scoring is important, but it’s his assist numbers that drive Indiana’s success. When he gets 9 or 10 dimes, it usually means shooters like Hield and Mathurin are getting clean looks. The Pacers are built to win by committee—Haliburton just needs to be the engine.

The Pacers also need more out of their frontcourt. Myles Turner had flashes, but hasn’t made a consistent Finals impact. He needs to protect the rim and stretch the floor better. If he can’t hit shots or neutralize Holmgren, the Thunder get too many second chances.

Odds and Key Markets

Looking at betting angles, the spread is floating around Thunder –5.5 with a total at 228.5. Oddsmakers respect both teams, but still lean OKC due to their depth and shot creation.

SGA’s point total prop continues to hover around 30.5, and he’s hit the over in both Finals games. Haliburton’s assist prop is typically around 8.5 or 9.5—a key line that’s tripped up casual bettors so far. The value plays come from role players. McConnell, Caruso, and Wiggins all have PRA totals (points, rebounds, assists) under 15. That’s where sharp money often goes.

For series bets, Thunder in six is the current favorite outcome. It suggests OKC steals one in Indiana, holds serve at home in Game 5, and finishes it off in Game 6 on the road. But if the Pacers defend both home games, that narrative gets tossed.

Looking Ahead

Game 3 could be the turning point. A Thunder win on the road would flip the entire tone of the Finals. It would put pressure on Indiana to win Game 4 or face elimination in Game 5 back in Oklahoma City. That’s a dangerous spot.

But if the Pacers take care of business and protect home court, the Finals stretch out. Then it becomes a best-of-three, and Indiana would only need one road win to seal a championship.

No matter what happens, this series won’t be over quickly. These teams are too evenly matched, too driven, and too confident to fold. Expect Game 3 to go down to the final five minutes. Every rotation will be critical. Every timeout will matter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who leads the series right now?

A: The series is tied 1-1 heading into Game 3.

Q: Are Smaller-Market Teams Undervalued in NBA Betting Markets?

A: Yes. Teams like Indiana often have more value in NBA betting markets, especially when public money skews toward big-name franchises or MVP favorites.

Q: How much does SGA’s performance move the betting lines?

A: Significantly. He’s averaged over 35 points in the first two games. Books have adjusted his point props and MVP odds heavily in his favor.

Q: What betting angle should I focus on for Game 3?

A: Pace and turnovers. If Indiana controls tempo and limits live-ball mistakes, they cover. If OKC runs wild, they cover and the total likely goes over.

Q: Is home court a factor in this series?

A: Absolutely. Indiana is energized by its crowd, and OKC will have to handle a playoff environment they haven’t seen yet this postseason.

This is the Swing Game

Game 3 always matters—but in a tied Finals, it defines the narrative. Whoever wins takes control. For Indiana, this is a chance to put OKC on its heels and keep the city buzzing. For the Thunder, this is the opportunity to remind everyone why they were the best regular-season team in the league.

From a fan or bettor’s perspective, it doesn’t get better than this. Tight spreads, hot stars, massive stakes. Grab your bets, lock in your props, and watch closely. Game 3 is where the series finds its identity.