Pacers Snatch Game 3, Shift NBA Finals Momentum
When the Indiana Pacers rolled into Game 3 on June 11, 2025, few expected them to flip the script so decisively against an Oklahoma City Thunder squad that had just crushed them by 23 points in Game 2. Yet, fueled by a roaring Indianapolis crowd and a breakout from Bennedict Mathurin, Indiana stormed past OKC 116-107, grabbing a 2-1 series lead in these unpredictable NBA Finals.
Nothing about this Pacers team says "easy out." With superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander reliably dropping 25+ points (he’s done it 15 out of 18 playoff games), the Thunder held the betting edge going in—favored by 5.5 points according to Vegas, and riding a moneyline of -200. Even ESPN’s BPI algorithm, usually pretty level-headed, projected the Thunder to have a narrow 1.6-point advantage. But when it came to crunch time in Game 3, it was Indiana's depth and energy that made the difference.
Bennedict Mathurin’s 27 points off the bench came at just the right moment. He gave the Pacers a much-needed spark, hitting big shots and keeping the Thunder defense off balance. When Mathurin gets hot, Indiana becomes a totally different animal. The Pacers, who had looked overwhelmed at times in the first two games, managed to take control late in Game 3 by cranking up their defense and moving the ball to find smart shots. This wasn’t just about home-court advantage—their bench outperformed OKC by a mile.
Injuries, Prop Bets, and the Stakes for Game 4
Both teams are banged up. Oklahoma City is still missing Nikola Topic, their promising rookie guard, because of a knee injury. Indiana’s Jarace Walker was questionable for Game 3, managing to dress but not making a big impact. In these Finals, depth matters more than ever, and both teams are testing theirs.
The betting action has been fierce. Props on Pascal Siakam—over 19.5 points—and Alex Caruso—over 9.5 points—have been especially popular, and modelers have taken note of both trending upward based on recent outings. Siakam has become a stabilizer for Indiana, hitting timely buckets and playing sturdy defense, while Caruso brings his usual mix of hustle and timely steals. If you jumped on those props, you weren’t alone—oddsmakers have been bumping those lines up as confidence in both players grows each game.
But strategy is where this series could tilt further. Tyrese Haliburton’s control of the tempo has been a huge factor for Indiana. It’s not just about the points he puts up, but how he slows down or speeds up the game on command, making sure Indiana always has the upper hand in critical stretches. Meanwhile, OKC’s defense—so strong in their Game 2 blowout—couldn’t contain Indiana’s hot hands when it mattered. The Thunder now need to dig deep, potentially adjusting their defensive matchups and revitalizing their bench contributions to seize back momentum on the road.
The story of this NBA Finals is now about adjustments, health, and who can keep their composure as the pressure builds. Indiana has turned the tables, but with every game a chess match, expect the Thunder to answer back—and soon.
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