On Wednesday night, the Indiana Pacers make their way down to Oklahoma City to take on the Thunder. With current records of 23-22 and 21-23, respectively, these teams are surprisingly winning this season and are sure to bring an action-packed match-up inside the Paycom Center.
The Indiana Pacers are entering this game after suffering a 132-119 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. To come out on top against the OKC Thunder, the Pacers need to take their defensive game up a notch and find ways of getting more stops.
Conversely, the Thunder put in an impressive defensive performance against the Brooklyn Nets as they managed to restrict them to just 102 points, which has kept them hot at home. If they want to remain competitive, they will have to replicate that stout effort against the Pacers. Both teams will be eager to escape with a victory when they go head-to-head.
NBA Odds/Game Lines: Pacers @ Thunder
| Spread | Moneyline | Total | |
| IND Pacers | +4 (-110) | +146 | O 241 (-110) |
| OKC Thunder | -4 (-110) | -174 | U 241 (-110) |
| Spread | Moneyline | Total | |
| IND Pacers | +4.5 (-115) | +150 | O 241.5 (-110) |
| OKC Thunder | -4.5 (-105) | -185 | U 241.5 (-110) |
Note that NBA betting odds are subject to changes based on updates. More betting markets, including the live betting experience, can be viewed by visiting the respective websites of online sportsbooks.
Young Thunders on the Rise
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been the face of OKC lately, and he is not just about satisfying expectations, he’s surpassing them – significantly. However, the team is not just about him. SGA himself recognizes the presence of his fellow young rising star. Josh Giddey, who has been playing in the shadows of Oklahoma City Thunder teammate SGA for much of the last two seasons, is finally getting his time to shine.
Heading into their Wednesday match against the visiting Indiana Pacers, Giddey is experiencing a streak of top-notch performances. He has scored 20 or more points in three straight games and has achieved that feat eight times during the last 12 contests; one of which was a 28-point personal best. It looks like he is learning how to make an impact on the court and his time to shine may be here to stay.
“Josh has been really good,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “He’s being aggressive, he’s making the right play, he’s playing super-efficient basketball. The kid works hard and he has the mental (game), for sure.”
Matching this duo would be difficult for Indiana this time as their rising star – Tyrese Haliburton – is still out due to sprained left elbow, and mild left knee bruise. So trying to limit their number will be the primary option.
The Pacers are Surely Missing Haliburton
Indiana has been dealt a brutal hand recently, going on a rigorous four-game losing streak as they approach this game. The effects of Haliburton’s absence have been highly evident in the Pacers’ recent performances, with Indiana allowing 125 points per game and an average of 15.3 turnovers.
Even more concerning is their crunch-time performances, where they have been outscored by an average of 8.3 points in the fourth quarter of the three games since Haliburton left the lineup. Needless to say, Indiana will need to bring its A-game if it wants to avoid taking another L tonight.
