The 2025 NBA Finals series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers continues with Game 3 scheduled for Wednesday. The action tips off at 8:30 p.m. ET live from Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Pacers initially took a 1-0 lead by securing Game 1 in Oklahoma City with a tight 111-110 victory. However, the Thunder responded emphatically in Game 2, earning a decisive 123-107 win powered by an exceptional performance from NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who posted 34 points, eight assists, five rebounds, and four steals. For Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) players eyeing Game 3, Gilgeous-Alexander and Indiana`s star point guard Tyrese Haliburton are prominent figures in the player pool. Other top projected DFS options include key players like Jalen Williams, Pascal Siakam, Myles Turner, and Chet Holmgren.
Given their status as the highest-priced players on the slate, incorporating Gilgeous-Alexander and Haliburton into DFS lineups often requires finding strong value picks elsewhere. Identifying potential `sleepers` – players capable of exceeding expectations at lower costs – and knowing which players to `fade` (avoid) are crucial strategies for building winning NBA DFS rosters for this pivotal Game 3 matchup between the Pacers and Thunder. Expert analysis and player insights are vital resources for DFS participants preparing their entries.
Insights for this game are offered by experts such as Jimmie Kaylor, a recognized DFS and betting analyst who achieved a notable victory in a DraftKings Millionaire Maker contest in 2022. Utilizing his background as a former collegiate and professional athlete, combined with a sharp focus on statistical patterns, Kaylor aims to pinpoint optimal DFS values and construct effective lineups.
Regarding specific picks for Game 3, Kaylor highlights Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton as a key DFS target. Listed at $11,000 on DraftKings and $13,000 on FanDuel, Haliburton is expected to bounce back after a relatively quiet Game 2 outing, despite a strong overall postseason showing. Kaylor anticipates a performance closer to his double-double effort in Game 1.
Another element of Kaylor`s recommended DFS strategy involves rostering Oklahoma City forward Jalen Williams. Priced at $10,400 on DraftKings and $12,000 on FanDuel, Williams has proven to be a significant contributor for the Thunder throughout the playoffs. His impactful play, including a stat line of 19 points, five rebounds, and five assists in Game 2, leads Kaylor to project similar production levels for him in Game 3.
Jasper Hawthorne