Following a stunning Game 1 loss, the Oklahoma City Thunder bounced back strong to defeat the Indiana Pacers 123-107 in Game 2, evening the series at 1-1. The action now shifts to Indiana for Game 3, scheduled for Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. ET.
A major factor in this series is league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has consistently dominated the Pacers throughout the season, posting scoring totals of 45, 33, 38, and 34 points in their matchups. A key question for Game 3 is whether Indiana can find a way to slow down his scoring on their home court.
In terms of betting odds for Game 3, the Thunder are listed as 5.5-point road favorites, with the over/under for total points set at 228.5. Oklahoma City is the favorite on the money line at -220, while Indiana is the underdog at +181.
To get an expert perspective on the game and potential betting opportunities, we turn to SportsLine expert Eric Cohen. Cohen is a recognized analyst known for his successful predictions across various sports, including recent wins in golf and a strong record in college football analysis. Notably, he holds a futures bet on the Thunder to win the series in either five or six games.
Based on his detailed analysis, here are Eric Cohen`s recommended picks for Game 3:
- Pacers +5.5
- Under 228.5 Total Points
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Over 30 Points
- Tyrese Haliburton Over 9.5 Assists
- T.J. McConnell Over 12.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists
- Score Prediction: Thunder 113, Pacers 110
Cohen anticipates Game 3 being a much tighter contest than Game 2. He predicts the Thunder will manage to secure a victory on the road, but expects the scoring pace to be slower, particularly in the second half, making the under his preferred play for the total points. He highlights Shai Gilgeous-Alexander`s continued offensive prowess against Indiana, projecting another performance in the 30-35 point range. Cohen sees significant value in the prop bet for Tyrese Haliburton`s assists, noting his history of exceeding 9.5 assists in previous playoff games this season despite lower numbers in the first two games of this series. He also points to T.J. McConnell`s consistent production off the bench, having cleared the 12.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists mark in the first two games despite limited minutes. Ultimately, Cohen`s analysis reinforces his belief that Oklahoma City is poised to win the series, most likely in six games.
Jasper Hawthorne