The Oklahoma City Thunder are on the road to take on the Indiana Pacers Friday night. Below we will continue our NBA odds series as we hand out a Thunder-Pacers prediction and pick. We will also let you know how to watch the game.
The Thunder are still fighting for the top seed in the Western Conference, but they have lost their last two games. The Thunder have also lost to the Pacers once this season. In that game, the Thunder scored 111 points. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 30 points and 10 rebounds to lead the team. Chet Holmgren had a double-double of his own with 15 points and 13 rebounds. Both SGA and Jalen Williams were inactive Wednesday night, so they are questionable on Friday.
The Pacers are 43-34 this season. They are trying to fight out of a Play-In spot, so the last five games are very important for them. Indiana put up 121 points in their win over the Thunder earlier this season. Both Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam recorded double-doubles in the win. Myles Turner led the team with 24 points, as well. As a team, the Pacers shot 53.9 percent from the field. Turner did not play on Wednesday night, so he is questionable Friday.
Here are the NBA odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
NBA Odds: Thunder-Pacers Odds
Oklahoma City Thunder: +5 (-110)
Moneyline: +172
Indiana Pacers: -5 (-110)
Moneyline: -205
Over: 235.5 (-110)
Under: 235.5 (-110)
How to Watch Thunder vs. Pacers
Time: 7 PM ET/4 PM PT
TV: Bally Sports Oklahoma City, Bally Sports Indiana
Stream: fuboTV (Click for free trial)
Why The Thunder Could Cover The Spread/Win
The Thunder are one of the best-scoring teams in the NBA. They average 119.9 points per game, which is fourth-best in the NBA. The Thunder need to score to win, and there is a good chance for that in this game as Indiana is not a good defensive team. The Pacers allow the third-most points per game this season at over 120.0 points. If the Thunder can take advantage of this, they will be able to cover the spread.
Why The Pacers Could Cover The Spread/Win
The Pacers are the best-scoring team in the NBA. They average 122.7 points per game this season. Along with that, the Pacers are the only team shooting over 50 percent from the floor, they are ninth in three-point percentage, first in assists. Indiana has been able to dominate offensively all season, and that should be able to continue in this one.
The Pacers allowed just 111 points in their first matchup against the Thunder, which is a good defensive outing in their books. When the Pacers allow less than 115 points this season, they are 21-7. The Thunder could be without Williams and SGA in this game, which would be a big hit to their offensive play. If the Pacers can keep the Thunder below 115 points, they will cover this spread.
Final Thunder-Pacers Prediction & Pick
The Thunder are a good team, but they have been struggling without their best player. We have to work under the assumption that SGA will not be active in this game. Without him, the Thunder are going to really struggle. The Pacers, on the other hand, are fully healthy. For this reason, I like the Pacers to not only win this game at home but cover the spread, as well.
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Final Thunder-Pacers Prediction & Pick: Indiana Pacers -5 (-110)
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