Eastern (EDT, UTC‑4): June 11, 2025 · 8:30 p.m.
Central (CDT, UTC‑5): June 11 · 7:30 p.m.
Mountain (MDT, UTC‑6): June 11 · 6:30 p.m.
Pacific (PDT, UTC‑7): June 11 · 5:30 p.m.
Series Snapshot
The final series stands at 1–1, with both teams claiming a road win. Game 3 shifts to Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, where the home-court crowd could provide a late push for Indiana.
Head-to-Head
The Pacers and Thunder have met three times this season:
1. Game 1 (June 6, OKC): Pacers win 111–110 on a Tyrese Haliburton buzzer-beater.
2. Game 2 (June 9, OKC): Thunder responded with a solid 123–107 win, which was powered by Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander’s solid 34-point performance.
3. Regular Season (March 30, OKC): Thunder dominated the game with a 132–111 win.
Series Pattern:
OKC at home: 2–1, which includes Game 3 and Game 2.
Pacers on the road: Game 1 win by 1 point.
What’s at Stake in Game 3
With the series tied, Game 3 becomes pivotal. Who will grab the game?
Pacers: They are seriously riding the adrenaline of their Game 1 upset, and they will return to a raucous home crowd.
Thunder: They aim to show dominance in the game and silence the Indiana fans from the early hold of Game 1.
Indiana Pacers Form
Last seven games:
1. Lost vs. OKC 123–107
2. Won vs. OKC 111–110
3. Won @ NYK 125–108
4. Lost @ NYK 111–94
5. Won vs. NYK 130–121
6. Lost vs. NYK 106–100
7. Won vs. NYK 114–109
They’ve been hot and cold during the season, with a clear strength at home.
Oklahoma City Thunder Form
Last seven games:
1. Won vs. IND 123–107
2. Lost vs. IND 111–110
3. Won vs. MIN 124–94
4. Won @ MIN 128–126
5. Lost @ MIN 143–101
6. Won vs. MIN 118–103
7. Won vs. MIN 114–88
OKC has cruised through Minnesota and leverages high-energy, deep offensive pressure, typical of their playoff flow.
Main Points from Previous Games
Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander’s MVP Run
Game 2 saw SGA explode for 34 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds, and 4 steals—back‐to‐back 30‑point games, accounting for 72 total points in his first two Finals outings, the most any player has ever scored through their first two Finals games.
Bench Strength: Caruso & Wiggins
Off the bench, Alex Caruso and Aaron Wiggins combined for 38 points in Game 2—both outscoring every Pacers starter.
Pacers’ Three-Point Threat
Indiana’s comeback victories often hinge on 3-point flurries. In Game 2, both teams made 14 threes, but OKC’s depth and defensive adjustments nullified the Pacers’ event.
Tyrese Haliburton’s Battle
After his overtime heroics in Game 1, Haliburton struggled in Game 2, held in check and spotted limping afterward. Fans on X posted “Hope our guy is okay,” noting concerns about his condition.
Fan Voices.
A Thunder Fan
On r/Thunder, an Indiana visitor praised OKC fans’ hospitality:
“As a Pacers fan at the game last night… the friendliness and kindness… helped make our time special.” reddit.com.
Social Media Buzz
Hoops hype took over after Game 2:
“Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander drops 34 PTS…72 PTS through his first 2 Finals games, THE MOST in NBA history.”
“Alex Caruso outscored every single Pacers player.” si.com, hoopshype.com
Pacers Defense Reaction
A r/pacers thread called out OKC’s physical play:
“The reach in, slap, foul ALL GAME…they KNOW the refs don’t want to call it…They are quite literally bending the rules.” reddit.com.
Stats That Matter
In Game 2 of the NBA Finals between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Thunder held a slight edge in shooting efficiency. Oklahoma City shot 48.8% from the field, compared to Indiana’s 45.1%. Inside the arc, the Thunder again led with a 56.5% success rate on two-point attempts, narrowly ahead of the Pacers’ 54.8%. From beyond the arc, Oklahoma City knocked down 38.9% of their three-point shots, while Indiana hit 35%.
On the glass, the Thunder outrebounded the Pacers 43 to 35, giving them more second-chance opportunities. Indiana had the edge in playmaking, recording 27 assists to Oklahoma City’s 25. However, the Pacers also turned the ball over more often, finishing with 15 turnovers compared to the Thunder’s 13.
The Thunder edged Indiana in shooting efficiency (+3.7 FG%, +2.5 2P%, +3.9 3P%) and held a +8 rebound margin si.com.
X‑Factors to Watch
1. Haliburton’s Health & Rhythm
Could his limited output and limp be lingering? The Pacers need their leader at full strength to win their offense.
2. Bench Impact
Caruso and Wiggins proved they can swing momentum off the bench. Indy must match that heat or risk another deficit.
3. Physical Play & Officiating
Agile, physical defense from OKC, especially screens and fouls, have frustrated Indiana. Will refs clamp down or let them play loose?
4. Home-Court Energy
Turner Fieldhouse’s atmosphere could lift the Pacers up. We expect deafening cheers and a charged home crowd.
Prediction & Final Thoughts
Game 3 looks set to be a chess match. Pacers will lean on their sharp shooting skills, home support, and Tyrese’s court command. The Thunder will counter with depth, defensive grit, and SGA’s scoring barrage.
A potential blueprint for Indiana: start hot from beyond the arc and disrupt OKC’s pattern of play early. On the other hand, Thunder must ride their bench surge and physicality to silence home activities.
Expectation: A tight, physical game event that will hinge on execution and key health, Tyrese’s status, depth matches, and crowd strength.
Main Focused Takeaway
With the series tied 1–1, Game 3 becomes a must-watch event. Basketball fans across the U.S. (especially in Eastern, Central, Mountain, and Pacific Time Zones) will tune in as the Pacers aim to defend home turf and the Thunder look to steal a road win. This clash at Gainbridge Fieldhouse could decide the series’ tone, and set the stage for a hard-fought finish.
Sources:
1. https://www.arizonasportsfans.com/forum/threads/oklahoma-city-thunder-easily-roll-past-indiana-pacers-to-even-up-nba-finals.713202/
2. https://8points9seconds.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com “Indiana Pacers News, Rumors, and Fan Community”
3. https://www.arizonasportsfans.com/forum/threads/pacers-39-cheated-death-39-again-to-stun-thunder-in-nba-finals-social-media-reacts.708537
4. https://hoopshype.com/lists/social-media-reacts-to-okc-taking-game-2-alex-caruso-outscored-every-single-pacers-player/
5. https://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?start=980&t=2462406
6. https://www.arizonasportsfans.com/forum/threads/thunder-struck-no-miracle-comeback-this-time-as-okc-buries-pacers-in-game-2.713167/
7. https://www.reddit.com/r/Thunder/comments/1l765ik/thank_you_to_okc_fans/
8. https://www.si.com/nba/thunder/news/social-media-reacts-okc-thunder-blow-out-indiana-pacers-game-2-shai-haliburton?
9. https://www.reddit.com/r/pacers/comments/1l79bcx/i_have_watched_the_thunder_all_playoffs_and/
See also:
Chicago Bulls Reportedly Impressed by UNC’s Drake Powell During Draft Workouts
Karl-Anthony Towns’ Foul Troubles Persist in the Playoffs
Magic Johnson Praises Alex Caruso After Thunder Reach NBA Finals
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