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
- Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse (Indianapolis, Indiana)
- TV: 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.
Scott Foster (18th Finals)
Josh Tiven (sixth Finals)
Sean Wright (second Finals)
The Indiana Pacers have not won an NBA Championship. They have two Eastern Conference titles (2000, 2025).
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.
USA TODAY: Every expert picks 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
- Jordan Mendoza: Thunder in six
- Lorenzo Reyes: Thunder in six
- James Williams: Thunder in six
- Jeff Zillgitt: Thunder in five
USA TODAY: Most pick the Thunder in Game 4
- Scooby Axson: Pacers 118, Thunder 108
- Jordan Mendoza: Thunder 109, Pacers 102
- Cydney Henderson: Thunder 108, Pacers 106
- Lorenzo Reyes: Thunder 106, Pacers 97
- Heather Tucker: Thunder 103, Pacers 90
- James Williams: Pacers 110, Thunder 104
- Jeff Zillgitt: Thunder 111, Pacers 99
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 13):
- Spread: Thunder (-6.5)
- Moneyline: Thunder (-250); Pacers (+200)
- Over/under: 227.5
The Oklahoma City Thunder still remain the favorite to win the 2025 NBA Finals over the Indiana Pacers, despite being down 2-1 entering Game 4, according to BetMGM (odds as of the afternoon of Friday, June 13):
- Series winner: Thunder (-250); Pacers (+200)
Odds via BetMGM on Thursday, June 12
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (-235)
- Tyrese Haliburton (+275)
- Pascal Siakam (+900)
- Jalen Williams (+8000)
- Chet Holmgren (+10000)
- Bennedict Mathurin (+10000)
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