With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander out and Jalen Williams doubtful, it’s ‘next man up’ for the Oklahoma City Thunder again tonight as they visit the Indiana Pacers.
The Thunder have dropped to the No.3 seed in the West after back-to-back losses, including a 135-100 thumping at the hands of the Boston Celtics in midweek, and they’re underdogs here in the latest NBA odds.
This is an even bigger game for the Pacers as they try to avoid the play-in. The hosts have a shaky grip on the No.6 spot and will be looking to rebound from a costly 115-111 loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday.
Check out my NBA picks for Thunder vs Pacers on Friday, April 5.
Thunder vs Pacers predictions
My best bet: Haliburton Over 10.5 assists (+104 at BetRivers)
Tyrese Haliburton’s offensive wizardry gives Indiana a puncher’s chance in any playoff series, but they’ve got to get there first – and this should be an appealing matchup for the Indiana All-Star given Oklahoma City's backcourt injuries. After all, it’s not just the offensive skills of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams that the visitors will miss; it’s their lockdown wing defense too.
Haliburton has a chance to set the tone in a game that’s critical for the Pacers’ postseason hopes, and I’m picking the NBA assists leader to flash his creative chops again tonight.
His assist numbers haven’t jumped off the screen over the past few weeks, but some of that stems from a grueling road-heavy schedule. In recent contests at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, it’s been a different story, with Haliburton proving to be a steady source of double-digit dimes.
He’s had 11 or more assists in six of his last 10 home games, including a 13-dime outing in the first of the Pacers’ two matchups with the Nets this week, and his chemistry with Pascal Siakam has led to easy transition buckets.
Haliburton is averaging 11 assists per game this season overall, and I’m grabbing these plus odds for him to reach that mark again here.
Thunder vs Pacers same-game parlay
Tyrese Haliburton Over 10.5 assists
Chet Holmgren Over 18.5 points
Under 234.5
With a stack of shots up for grabs in this Thunder offense, I love the Over on the Chet Holmgren points prop against an Indiana defense that allows 120.3 ppg. He finished with 22 points against the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday and he’s had 14 field goal attempts in consecutive games.
Extended minutes for Gordon Hayward, Isaiah Joe, and Aaron Wiggins will be valuable ahead of the playoffs, but this is a big chance for Holmgren to get comfortable in attack mode.
With Myles Turner listed as questionable for the Pacers, Chet's path to second-chance points on the offensive glass is viable.
I like the Under for my SGP too. It’s 7-3 in Indiana’s past 10 games and there’s every reason to expect a scoring drop-off for the Thunder with Gilgeous-Alexander sidelined again.
That was evident this week, with OKC held to 100 points in Boston and 105 points against the 76ers. Even in what should be an up-tempo clash, a line of 234.5 seems too high.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Thunder vs Pacers odds and trends
Thunder vs Pacers live odds
Thunder vs Pacers opening odds
- Spread: Oklahoma City =5.5 | Indiana -5.5
- Moneyline: Oklahoma City +180 | Indiana -203
- Over/Under: Over 233.5 | Under 233.5
Thunder vs Pacers spread and Over/Under analysis
- Indiana looks like good value as a 5.5-point favorite tonight. While this is a deep Thunder team, the visitors have only covered the spread in three of their last 10 games.
- The Pacers landed a 121-111 victory in OKC back on March 12 behind a Siakam double-double, and they’re 23-15 at home.
- The Under is 6-3-1 in the past 10 meetings between these teams and that feels like the safer pick, even with the Over sitting at 43-32-1 for OKC this season.
- A total of 235 is a big ask if the visitors shoot below 45% from the field, as they did in their two road games this week.
Thunder vs Pacers trend
Despite a high-powered offense, the Under has hit in 28 of the Pacers’ last 41 contests. Find more NBA betting trends for Thunder vs. Pacers.
Thunder vs Pacers game info
| Location: | Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN |
| Date: | Friday, April 5, 2024 |
| Tip-off: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | Bally Sports Indiana, KSBI OKC |
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