NBA Finals Game 2 Preview: Indiana Pacers (1-0) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (0-1)

Series Overview

The 2025 NBA Finals tipped off with a thrilling Game 1, where the Indiana Pacers stunned the Oklahoma City Thunder with a 111-110 victory. Tyrese Haliburton delivered a game-winning jumper with 0.3 seconds left, completing a 15-point fourth-quarter comeback to steal home-court advantage from OKC.

Indiana Pacers Outlook

The Pacers enter Game 2 with momentum, looking to take a commanding 2-0 series lead before heading home to Indianapolis. Indiana’s fast-paced offense and elite ball movement proved effective against the Thunder’s top-ranked defense.

Key Players to Watch

Tyrese Haliburton (Game 1: 27 PTS, 9 AST) – The floor general who orchestrated Indiana’s comeback.

Pascal Siakam (Game 1: 22 PTS, 8 REB) – A versatile scorer who attacked OKC’s interior defense.

Myles Turner (Game 1: 15 PTS, 10 REB, 3 BLK) – A defensive anchor who will be crucial in slowing down OKC’s offense.

Indiana’s three-point shooting was a major factor in Game 1, as they connected on 47% of their corner threes, exploiting a Thunder defensive weakness.

Oklahoma City Thunder Outlook

The Thunder will look to bounce back after a heartbreaking loss, aiming to even the series before heading to Indiana. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the 2025 NBA MVP, led OKC with 33 points in Game 1, but the Thunder struggled to close out the fourth quarter.

Key Players to Watch

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Game 1: 33 PTS, 6 AST) – The MVP who must take control late in games.

Chet Holmgren (Game 1: 18 PTS, 9 REB, 2 BLK) – A defensive force who needs to dominate the paint.

Jalen Williams (Game 1: 16 PTS, 5 REB) – A two-way threat who can impact both ends of the floor.

OKC’s three-point shooting was inconsistent, hitting just 33% from deep, which allowed Indiana to clog the paint defensively.

Game Odds

Indiana Pacers                                  227

Oklahoma City Thunder                – 11

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, June 7, 2025