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USA Today
17-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
NBA Finals Game 6 creates historic moment for small-market teams, zealous fans
NBA Finals Game 6 creates historic moment for small-market teams, zealous fans Show Caption Hide Caption Pacers and Thunder NBA Finals is better than it's 'small-market' billing USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Zillgitt breaks down the star-studded NBA Finals between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder. Sports Pulse NBA historians, fill up the inkwell and prepare your quill pens. History is arriving as fast as Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander fills up a box score. A couple of teams from small markets are about to do something gigantic. Well, one of them anyway, as the NBA Finals shift back to Indianapolis. Game 6 is Thursday, June 19, with the Oklahoma City Thunder leading the Indiana Pacers 3-2 in the best-of-seven series. And here's what you need to know: OKC is one victory from its first title since the franchise moved from Seattle in 2008. The Pacers are two victories from winning their first championship in franchise history. And before we disclose any championship parade route information, there are some questions to ponder. OPINION: NBA Finals TV ratings don't reflect complete picture of fan reach MORE: Pacers coach Rick Carlisle defends NBA Finals referee Scott Foster after fan criticism Can Tyrese Haliburton and his injured right leg bounce back after a poor showing in Oklahoma City's 120-109 victory over Indiana in Game 5 on Monday, June 16, in Oklahoma City? If not, any chance Indiana Fever star Caitin Clark can suit up for the Pacers? (After all, the Fever and Pacers are owned by the same people, play in the same arena and, boy, the Pacers could use a few of those logo 3s if Haliburton is misfiring again.) If not, she'll have to continue to serve as a good-luck charm. MORE: With Tyrese Haliburton hobbled and struggling, Pacers' title hopes are fading Regardless of which team wins, city planners should have a dusty map of the parade route ready. After all, the Thunder made it to the NBA Finals in 2012 before losing to the Miami Heat, and the Pacers reached the Finals in 2000 before losing to the Los Angeles Lakers. But enough about the teams. What about the fans? The Thunder faithful were color coordinated in their white-and-blue T-shirts during Game 5 and belting out those spirited chants of 'OKC!' Everybody, on three, 'Awwwww.' How long are we going to be able to tolerate the chants of 'OKC!'' All joking aside, suck it up, sports fans, because they've earned the right to chant as long as they want if they win Game 6 or Game 7. 'Unreal,'' coach Mark Daigneault said about the Thunder's home crowd after his team won Game 5. 'They've been unreal forever, but they just put the wind at our back and we have to give the reason to.'' Small-market teams do not lack zealous fans. The Pacers faithful at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Thursday night are at risk of vocal cord damage if that's what it takes to propel their team to victory and force a deciding Game 7. It'll all be worth writing about, fellow historians, especially if you're equipped with a quill pen.
The Herald Scotland
17-06-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
NBA Finals Game 5 live updates: Pacers-Thunder prediction, TV channel
Oklahoma City was able to even the series heading back home thanks to league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored 15 of his 35 points in the fourth quarter of the Thunder's Game 4 win. It all adds up to a crucial Game 5. USA TODAY Sports will provide the latest updates, highlights, wild plays, analysis and more throughout the game. Follow along. What time is Thunder vs. Pacers game today? The Oklahoma City Thunder host the Indiana Pacers for Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. The game is scheduled to tip off at 8:30 p.m. ET. Where to watch Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Game 5 Time: 8:30 p.m. ET 8:30 p.m. ET Location: Paycom Center (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) Paycom Center (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) TV: ABC ABC Stream: Fubo, Sling TV Watch the NBA Finals with Fubo Jarace Walker is out with a right ankle sprain, according to the latest injury report on Monday, June 16. Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle took exception Sunday to the criticism being levied at officiating during the NBA Finals, specifically the rebukes against Scott Foster. "I think it's awful some of the things I've seen about officiating, and Scott Foster in particular," Carlisle said Sunday, June 15. "I've known Scott Foster for 30 years. He is a great official. He has done a great job in these playoffs. We've had him a lot of times. The ridiculous scrutiny that is being thrown out there is terrible and unfair and unjust and stupid." Many Pacers and NBA fans had taken to social media to criticize Foster for his performance Friday night in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, an eventual 111-104 Oklahoma City Thunder victory that evened the series at 2-2. -- Jeff Zillgitt and Lorenzo Reyes The NBA's 3-point shot has enemies. Too many 3s, they say. The shot is ruining the game, they say. And those critics of the 3-point shot found ammunition in the Eastern Conference semifinals of this season's playoffs when the Boston Celtics attempted 60 3-pointers and missed 45 against the New York Knicks. The guffawing ignored the fact that Boston's 3-point shooting was instrumental in its 2023-24 championship season and in its 61-21 record this season. Regardless of your aesthetic view of how basketball should be played and what it should look like, the 3-point shot has turned divisive but remains vital to winning championships. USA TODAY's Jeff Zillgitt takes a deeper look at this divisive shot. The NBA Finals TV ratings discussion is a classic struggle between the optimist and the pessimist. One headline: "NBA Finals have been most-watched programs since first week of May." Another headline: "NBA Finals ratings down 24%." Two things can be true in this season's Finals between "small-market" Indiana and Oklahoma City. Yes, ratings are down from last season's Finals between Boston and Dallas, and yes, the Thunder-Pacers Finals have brought in millions of viewers, including a peak of 11.54 million at 11 p.m. ET of Game 3 on Wednesday, June 11. Jeff Zillgitt breaks down the TV ratings for the NBA Finals between the Pacers and Thunder. INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indiana Pacers needed Game 4. They had Game 4. At least it looked that way for three quarters. Felt like Indiana was headed for a 3-1 series lead against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Finals. Felt like Indiana was in control. And they were. Until they were not. USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Zillgitt looks at the Pacers' Game 4 loss. If the NBA Finals matchup of the league's 23rd and 27th-ranked media markets is supposed to spell doom for the league, it is a doom the NBA's owners intentionally brought on themselves. While two glitz-free Midwestern cities in the Finals might not have the celebrity pull the NBA has largely enjoyed through its historically successful franchises, it was an inevitable outcome once the league designed a collective bargaining agreement that dismantled its traditional cycle of superteams and dynasties. Welcome to the new NBA, where championship windows are smaller, the life cycle of a roster is shorter and the number of teams that can win a title in any given year is beyond anything we've seen in our lifetimes. -- Dan Wolken Read Wolken's full column here. Where is Game 5 between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder? The Oklahoma City Thunder host the Indiana Pacers for Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. The Oklahoma City Thunder are favorites to take a 3-2 lead in the series vs. the Indiana Pacers in Game 5 of the 2025 NBA Finals, according to BetMGM (odds as of Monday, June 16): Spread : Thunder (-9.5) : Thunder (-9.5) Moneyline : Thunder (-450); Pacers (+340) : Thunder (-450); Pacers (+340) Over/under: 224.5 The Oklahoma City Thunder enter Game 5 as the favorite to win the 2025 NBA Finals over the Indiana Pacers, according to BetMGM (odds as of Monday, June 16). Series winner: Thunder (-625); Pacers (+450) USA TODAY: Most pick Thunder in Game 5 Scooby Axson: Thunder 121, Pacers 116 Thunder 121, Pacers 116 Jordan Mendoza : Thunder 112, Pacers 106 : Thunder 112, Pacers 106 Lorenzo Reyes : Pacers 121, Thunder 106 : Pacers 121, Thunder 106 Heather Tucker : Thunder 131, Pacers 118 : Thunder 131, Pacers 118 James Williams : Pacers 110, Thunder 107 : Pacers 110, Thunder 107 Jeff Zillgitt: Thunder 115, Pacers 105 USA TODAY: Every expert picked the Thunder Ahead of the series opener, all of the NBA experts at USA TODAY Sports picked the Oklahoma City Thunder to beat the Indiana Pacers in the 2025 NBA Finals Scooby Axson: Thunder in five Thunder in five Jordan Mendoza: Thunder in six Thunder in six Lorenzo Reyes: Thunder in six Thunder in six Heather Tucker: Thunder in five Thunder in five James Williams: Thunder in six Thunder in six Jeff Zillgitt: Thunder in five The Oklahoma City Thunder host the Indiana Pacers at 8:30 p.m. ET with coverage on ABC. Game 5 between the Thunder and Pacers is available on ABC. Fans can also stream the action with Sling TV and Fubo, which offers a free trial for new users. ABC is set to broadcast the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers starting lineups introductions ahead of Game 5 of the 2025 NBA Finals for the first time since 2013, ESPN reported on Monday. All times Eastern; *-if necessary (Series tied 2-2) Eastern Conference finals No. 4 Indiana Pacers def. No. 3 New York Knicks, 4-2 Western Conference finals No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder def. No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves, 4-1 NBA Finals No. 4 Indiana Pacers vs. No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder (Series tied 2-2) Official assignments are announced at 9 a.m. on the day of the game. Here are the referees assigned to Game 5 of the 2025 NBA Finals on Monday. John Goble (ninth Finals, officiated Game 1) Marc Davis (14th Finals, officiated Game 1) James Williams (fifth Finals, officiated Game 2) Odds via BetMGM on Monday, June 16. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (-600) Pascal Siakam (+800) Tyrese Haliburton (+900) Jalen Williams (+3500) Alex Caruso (+15000) Chet Holmgren (+30000) The Oklahoma City Thunder have one NBA championship. However, it came in 1979 when the team was the Seattle SuperSonics. They have not won a title since moving to Oklahoma City in 2008. The Indiana Pacers have not won an NBA championship. They have two Eastern Conference titles (2000, 2025). Dort averaged 10.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 71 games (all starts) this season. Dort is averaging slightly lower than his regular-season stats in the 2025 NBA Finals, averaging 9.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 0.5 assists through four games. 5? checking in for Game 5? — OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) June 16, 2025 Oklahoma City Thunder guard and league Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic were unanimous selections from a panel of 100 global reporters and broadcasters who cover the NBA and voted on the squad. View the complete list. Here's a look at the winners over the past 20 years. For a full list of champions, visit 2023-24 -- Boston Celtics 2022-23 -- Denver Nuggets 2021-22 -- Golden State Warriors 2020-21 -- Milwaukee Bucks 2019-20 -- Los Angeles Lakers 2018-19 -- Toronto Raptors 2017-18 -- Golden State Warriors 2016-17 -- Golden State Warriors 2015-16 -- Cleveland Cavaliers 2014-15 -- Golden State Warriors 2013-14 -- San Antonio Spurs 2012-13 -- Miami Heat 2011-12 -- Miami Heat 2010-11 -- Dallas Mavericks 2009-10 -- Los Angeles Lakers 2008-09 -- Los Angeles Lakers 2007-08 -- Boston Celtics 2006-07 -- San Antonio Spurs 2005-06 -- Miami Heat 2004-05 -- San Antonio Spurs The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news -- fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
USA Today
17-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
NBA Finals Game 5 updates: Pacers vs. Thunder predictions, time, where to watch
NBA Finals Game 5 updates: Pacers vs. Thunder predictions, time, where to watch Show Caption Hide Caption Pacers and Thunder NBA Finals is better than it's 'small-market' billing USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Zillgitt breaks down the star-studded NBA Finals between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder. Sports Pulse A classic, back-and-forth NBA Finals returns to Oklahoma City, where the Thunder will aim to do something neither team has been able to do in the series: Win consecutive games. The Indiana Pacers, meanwhile, had the weekend to stew over the missed opportunity they had to take a 3-1 series lead at home. The Pacers held the lead for much of Friday's Game 4, only to allow the Thunder to prevail 111-104 thanks to a fourth-quarter surge. Oklahoma City was able to even the series heading back home thanks to league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored 15 of his 35 points in the fourth quarter of the Thunder's Game 4 win. It all adds up to a crucial Game 5. USA TODAY Sports will provide the latest updates, highlights, wild plays, analysis and more throughout the game. Follow along. What time is Thunder vs. Pacers game today? The Oklahoma City Thunder host the Indiana Pacers for Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. The game is scheduled to tip off at 8:30 p.m. ET. Where to watch Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Game 5 Time: 8:30 p.m. ET 8:30 p.m. ET Location: Paycom Center (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) Paycom Center (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) TV: ABC ABC Stream: Fubo, Sling TV Watch the NBA Finals with Fubo There was only one day of rest between Games 3 and 4 of the NBA Finals — the only time in the series with that quick of a turnaround. Initially, that might not seem significant, but at this stage of the playoffs, a short rest can feed fatigue and give an edge to the better conditioned team. Both coaches reflected on how their teams have been using the additional day before Game 5. 'At this point, the extra time allows extra analysis,' Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. 'So we spent a lot of time looking at the previous game, and many cases, looking at other games that were previous. Sometimes you look at stuff during the regular season, et cetera, et cetera. 'But I don't think there's a big difference between how much film we're looking at with a two-day break as there is a one-day break. I think every coaching staff in the NBA is going to be on top of it as best they can, they are going to look at everything, and try not to overanalyze.' Thunder coach Mark Daigneault was a little more coy about his team's approach. 'I do twice as much parenting,' he said, 'not twice as much work.' — Lorenzo Reyes first five of Game 5. — Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) June 17, 2025 Tyrese Haliburton, G Andrew Nembhard, G Aaron Nesmith, F Pascal Siakam, F Myles Turner, C Our 5️⃣ for Game 5 ⚡️ — OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) June 17, 2025 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, G Lu Dort, G Jalen Williams, F Chet Holmgren, F Isaiah Hartenstein, C Jarace Walker is out with a right ankle sprain, according to the latest injury report on Monday, June 16. Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle took exception Sunday to the criticism being levied at officiating during the NBA Finals, specifically the rebukes against Scott Foster. 'I think it's awful some of the things I've seen about officiating, and Scott Foster in particular,' Carlisle said Sunday, June 15. 'I've known Scott Foster for 30 years. He is a great official. He has done a great job in these playoffs. We've had him a lot of times. The ridiculous scrutiny that is being thrown out there is terrible and unfair and unjust and stupid.' Many Pacers and NBA fans had taken to social media to criticize Foster for his performance Friday night in Game 4 of the NBA Finals, an eventual 111-104 Oklahoma City Thunder victory that evened the series at 2-2. — Jeff Zillgitt and Lorenzo Reyes The NBA's 3-point shot has enemies. Too many 3s, they say. The shot is ruining the game, they say. And those critics of the 3-point shot found ammunition in the Eastern Conference semifinals of this season's playoffs when the Boston Celtics attempted 60 3-pointers and missed 45 against the New York Knicks. The guffawing ignored the fact that Boston's 3-point shooting was instrumental in its 2023-24 championship season and in its 61-21 record this season. Regardless of your aesthetic view of how basketball should be played and what it should look like, the 3-point shot has turned divisive but remains vital to winning championships. USA TODAY's Jeff Zillgitt takes a deeper look at this divisive shot. The NBA Finals TV ratings discussion is a classic struggle between the optimist and the pessimist. One headline: "NBA Finals have been most-watched programs since first week of May.' Another headline: 'NBA Finals ratings down 24%.' Two things can be true in this season's Finals between 'small-market' Indiana and Oklahoma City. Yes, ratings are down from last season's Finals between Boston and Dallas, and yes, the Thunder-Pacers Finals have brought in millions of viewers, including a peak of 11.54 million at 11 p.m. ET of Game 3 on Wednesday, June 11. Jeff Zillgitt breaks down the TV ratings for the NBA Finals between the Pacers and Thunder. INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Pacers needed Game 4. They had Game 4. At least it looked that way for three quarters. Felt like Indiana was headed for a 3-1 series lead against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Finals. Felt like Indiana was in control. And they were. Until they were not. USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Zillgitt looks at the Pacers' Game 4 loss. If the NBA Finals matchup of the league's 23rd and 27th-ranked media markets is supposed to spell doom for the league, it is a doom the NBA's owners intentionally brought on themselves. While two glitz-free Midwestern cities in the Finals might not have the celebrity pull the NBA has largely enjoyed through its historically successful franchises, it was an inevitable outcome once the league designed a collective bargaining agreement that dismantled its traditional cycle of superteams and dynasties. Welcome to the new NBA, where championship windows are smaller, the life cycle of a roster is shorter and the number of teams that can win a title in any given year is beyond anything we've seen in our lifetimes. — Dan Wolken Read Wolken's full column here. Where is Game 5 between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder? The Oklahoma City Thunder host the Indiana Pacers for Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. The Oklahoma City Thunder are favorites to take a 3-2 lead in the series vs. the Indiana Pacers in Game 5 of the 2025 NBA Finals, according to BetMGM (odds as of Monday, June 16): Spread : Thunder (-9.5) : Thunder (-9.5) Moneyline : Thunder (-450); Pacers (+340) : Thunder (-450); Pacers (+340) Over/under: 224.5 The Oklahoma City Thunder enter Game 5 as the favorite to win the 2025 NBA Finals over the Indiana Pacers, according to BetMGM (odds as of Monday, June 16). Series winner: Thunder (-625); Pacers (+450) USA TODAY: Most pick Thunder in Game 5 Scooby Axson: Thunder 121, Pacers 116 Thunder 121, Pacers 116 Jordan Mendoza : Thunder 112, Pacers 106 : Thunder 112, Pacers 106 Lorenzo Reyes : Pacers 121, Thunder 106 : Pacers 121, Thunder 106 Heather Tucker : Thunder 131, Pacers 118 : Thunder 131, Pacers 118 James Williams : Pacers 110, Thunder 107 : Pacers 110, Thunder 107 Jeff Zillgitt: Thunder 115, Pacers 105 USA TODAY: Every expert picked the Thunder Ahead of the series opener, all of the NBA experts at USA TODAY Sports picked the Oklahoma City Thunder to beat the Indiana Pacers in the 2025 NBA Finals Scooby Axson: Thunder in five Thunder in five Jordan Mendoza: Thunder in six Thunder in six Lorenzo Reyes: Thunder in six Thunder in six Heather Tucker: Thunder in five Thunder in five James Williams: Thunder in six Thunder in six Jeff Zillgitt: Thunder in five The Oklahoma City Thunder host the Indiana Pacers at 8:30 p.m. ET with coverage on ABC. Game 5 between the Thunder and Pacers is available on ABC. Fans can also stream the action with Sling TV and Fubo, which offers a free trial for new users. ABC is set to broadcast the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers starting lineups introductions ahead of Game 5 of the 2025 NBA Finals for the first time since 2013, ESPN reported on Monday. All times Eastern; *-if necessary (Series tied 2-2) Eastern Conference finals No. 4 Indiana Pacers def. No. 3 New York Knicks, 4-2 Western Conference finals No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder def. No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves, 4-1 NBA Finals No. 4 Indiana Pacers vs. No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder (Series tied 2-2) Official assignments are announced at 9 a.m. on the day of the game. Here are the referees assigned to Game 5 of the 2025 NBA Finals on Monday. John Goble (ninth Finals, officiated Game 1) Marc Davis (14th Finals, officiated Game 1) James Williams (fifth Finals, officiated Game 2) Odds via BetMGM on Monday, June 16. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (-600) Pascal Siakam (+800) Tyrese Haliburton (+900) Jalen Williams (+3500) Alex Caruso (+15000) Chet Holmgren (+30000) The Oklahoma City Thunder have one NBA championship. However, it came in 1979 when the team was the Seattle SuperSonics. They have not won a title since moving to Oklahoma City in 2008. The Indiana Pacers have not won an NBA championship. They have two Eastern Conference titles (2000, 2025). Dort averaged 10.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 71 games (all starts) this season. Dort is averaging slightly lower than his regular-season stats in the 2025 NBA Finals, averaging 9.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 0.5 assists through four games. 5️⃣ checking in for Game 5️⃣ — OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) June 16, 2025 Oklahoma City Thunder guard and league Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic were unanimous selections from a panel of 100 global reporters and broadcasters who cover the NBA and voted on the squad. View the complete list. Here's a look at the winners over the past 20 years. For a full list of champions, visit 2023-24 — Boston Celtics 2022-23 — Denver Nuggets 2021-22 — Golden State Warriors 2020-21 — Milwaukee Bucks 2019-20 — Los Angeles Lakers 2018-19 — Toronto Raptors 2017-18 — Golden State Warriors 2016-17 — Golden State Warriors 2015-16 — Cleveland Cavaliers 2014-15 — Golden State Warriors 2013-14 — San Antonio Spurs 2012-13 — Miami Heat 2011-12 — Miami Heat 2010-11 — Dallas Mavericks 2009-10 — Los Angeles Lakers 2008-09 — Los Angeles Lakers 2007-08 — Boston Celtics 2006-07 — San Antonio Spurs 2005-06 — Miami Heat 2004-05 — San Antonio Spurs The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
USA Today
16-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
NBA Finals Game 5 updates: Pacers vs Thunder predictions, time, where to watch
NBA Finals Game 5 updates: Pacers vs Thunder predictions, time, where to watch Show Caption Hide Caption Pacers and Thunder NBA Finals is better than it's 'small-market' billing USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Zillgitt breaks down the star-studded NBA Finals between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder. Sports Pulse A classic, back-and-forth NBA Finals returns to Oklahoma City, where the Thunder will aim to do something neither team has been able to do in the series: Win consecutive games. The Indiana Pacers, meanwhile, had the weekend to stew over the missed opportunity they had to take a 3-1 series lead at home. The Pacers held the lead for much of Friday's Game 4, only to allow the Thunder to prevail 111-104 thanks to a fourth-quarter surge. Oklahoma City was able to even the series heading back home thanks to league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored 15 of his 35 points in the fourth quarter of the Thunder's Game 4 win. It all adds up to a crucial Game 5. USA TODAY Sports will provide the latest updates, highlights, wild plays, analysis and more throughout the game. Follow along. What time is Thunder vs Pacers game today? The Oklahoma City Thunder host the Indiana Pacers for Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. The game is scheduled to tip off at 8:30 p.m. ET. Where to watch Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Game 5 Time: 8:30 p.m. ET 8:30 p.m. ET Location: Paycom Center (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) Paycom Center (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) TV: ABC ABC Stream: Fubo, Sling TV Watch the NBA Finals with Fubo Where is Game 5 between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder? The Oklahoma City Thunder host the Indiana Pacers for Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
USA Today
13-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
NBA Finals Game 4 updates: Thunder vs Pacers predictions, time, where to watch
NBA Finals Game 4 updates: Thunder vs Pacers predictions, time, where to watch Show Caption Hide Caption Pacers and Thunder NBA Finals is better than it's 'small-market' billing USA TODAY Sports' Jeff Zillgitt breaks down the star-studded NBA Finals between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder. Sports Pulse The Indiana Pacers are two games away from winning the franchise's first championship, thanks to an unlikely hero. Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin scored a game-high 27 points off the bench in the Pacers' 116-107 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3 of the NBA Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse to lift the Pacers to a 2-1 series lead. Tyrese Haliburton added 22 points and 11 rebounds and Pascal Siakam had 21 points, marking the duo's best scoring showing in the championship series so far. The Thunder's big three — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (24 points), Jalen Williams (26) and Chet Holmgren (20) —combined for 70 of the Thunder's 107 points in Game 3, but the trio failed to get much help. Oklahoma City's bench was held to just 18 points, with eight points coming from Alex Caruso in 32 minutes of play. The Oklahoma City Thunder will need to come out with a sense of urgency and protect the ball to avoid falling 3-1 to the Pacers. Teams in a 3-1 series deficit are only 13-285 in the NBA postseason and 1-37 in the NBA Finals. Both teams will have little rest before Game 4, which tips off on Friday in Indianapolis. USA TODAY Sports will provide the latest updates, highlights, wild plays, analysis and more throughout the game. Follow along. What time is Thunder vs Pacers game today? The Indiana Pacers host the Oklahoma City Thunder for Game 4 of the NBA Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The game is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET. Where to watch Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Game 4 Time: 8:30 p.m. ET 8:30 p.m. ET Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse (Indianapolis, Indiana) Gainbridge Fieldhouse (Indianapolis, Indiana) TV: ABC ABC Stream: Fubo, Sling TV Watch the NBA Finals with Fubo Where is Game 4 between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder? The Indiana Pacers host the Oklahoma City Thunder at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis for Game 4 of the NBA Finals. The Oklahoma City Thunder are favorites to even the series 2-2 with the Indiana Pacers in Game 4 of the 2025 NBA Finals, according to BetMGM (odds as of afternoon of Friday, June 12): Spread : Thunder (-6.5) : Thunder (-6.5) Moneyline : Thunder (-250); Pacers (+200) : Thunder (-250); Pacers (+200) Over/under: 227.5 The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
