Indiana Pacers Face Dodgy Moment at Oklahoma City Thunder's Game 5 on Monday
The Oklahoma City Thunder Even the NBA Finals with a Stellar Defensive Effort in Game 4
The Thunder crushed the Pacers' high-flying offense in Game 4 of the 2025 NBA Finals, tying the series at 2-2. Oklahoma City's defense, powered by league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, snatched a 111-104 victory from the jaws of a 10-point deficit late in the third quarter.
Remember my ill-fated bet on the Pacers +6.5 in Game 4? Indy managed to make my life a living hell, pushing their improbable comeback efforts to the very brink. Backup SG Bennedict Mathurin, whom I now have on my sh**list, posted a dismal performance, with three missed free throws and two "away from play" fouls in the final minutes.
Game 5 Betting Odds
Indiana might put the loss in Game 4 behind them, but the Thunder have been unstoppable at home during the playoffs. Take advantage of the "fade the public" angle for Monday's Game 5 as the Pacers are expected to be favored in a tied series.
As for the stats, the Thunder are leading three of the "four factors" in the NBA Finals: rebounding, turnovers, and free-throw battles. Indiana might have the edge in shooting, but the Thunder rely on role players like SGs Lu Dort, Alex Caruso, and Cason Wallace who tend to step up at home.
Oklahoma City's defense has been the star of the 2025 NBA Playoffs, shutting down even the most offensively potent teams. Their relentless intensity, crop of versatile defenders, and effective zone schemes have made them a force to be reckoned with.
Reviving Defensive Dominance Fueling the Thunder's Playoff Run
The Thunder's defensive performance in the 2025 NBA Finals has been a decisive factor in their success. Their Game 4 defensive effort reflected their season-long intensity that resembles an All-Defensive team. The team, led by Gilgeous-Alexander, forced 19 turnovers and held the Pacers to just 45 points in the first half during the first half. While they faltered in the second half, allowing the Pacers to erase a double-digit deficit, the Thunder returned to form in Game 5, forcing 23 turnovers and stifling the Pacers' offensive flow.
As the series inches towards a climactic end, the Thunder's ability to limit Indiana's offense will be the deciding factor. Their defensive intensity and execution have laid the foundation for a potential championship run, and they will need to maintain it to knock the Pacers out of the game.
- The Thunder's impressive defensive performance in Game 4, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, not only tied the series at 2-2 but also made me regret my bet on the Pacers +6.5.
- For Game 5, the betting odds favor the Thunder, despite the tied series, due to their unstoppable home record during the playoffs.
- Oklahoma City's relentless defensive intensity and effective zone schemes have been the deciding factor in their playoff run, and will be crucial in stifling Indiana's offense as the series approaches its climax.
