The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Indiana Pacers in Game 5, 120-109 to get the 3-2 series lead. Will the Thunder end it all in six games? Or, will the Pacers have it in them to force a Game 7?
Catch this game live on Friday, June 20, 2025 at 8:30 AM, Manila time.
Away: Oklahoma City Thunder (3-2)
Projected Starting Five:
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- Luguentz Dort
- Jalen Williams
- Chet Holmgren
- Isaiah Hartenstein
The math is simple for the Thunder: one win and they can have their championship parade in downtown Oklahoma City. That is their mission this Friday on the road, as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Bolts look to make that one final push to send Indiana to sleep. Oklahoma City has rocked the Pacers with haymakers in the last two games, and in Game 5, the 1-2 combo of SGA and Jalen Williams had Indiana seeing stars.
Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams combined for 71 points. The Pacers had a spirited attempt at a comeback in the second half but OKC had all the answers to snuff Indiana’s uprising. Tyrese Haliburton’s seeming injury also strengthens the smell of blood in the water for the Thunder, who have already held the Pacers to just 43.8 FG% and 33.3 3FG% in the last two games.
Home: Indiana Pacers (2-3)
Projected Starting Five:
- Tyrese Haliburton
- Andrew Nembhard
- Aaron Nesmith
- Pascal Siakam
- Myles Turner
As mentioned, Haliburton isn’t at his 100 percent form. It’s an unfortunate situation for the Pacers, but on the bright side, he can still play. He’s likely not just going to be at his best due to a calf injury that also slowed him down in Game 5, where he went 0-for-6 from the field before finishing with a measly output of six points. Given Haliburton’s subpar state, TJ McConnell will have to step up again.
But a do-or-die game for the Pacers will require more, which puts pressure on Bennedict Mathurin to provide that scoring support from the bench. After scoring 27 points in Game 3, Mathurin has coughed up just 15 points on 3-for-13 shooting in the next two games. There can’t be a better time for him to turn on his hot mode than this Friday, with the season on the line for the Pacers, who also have to be better with the ball after turning it over 23 times in Game 5. Pascal Siakam, Myles Turner and Haliburton will all get their touches and looks, but it could be what the depth guys would do that will determine which way the wind blows for the Pacers in Game 6.
Picks
Spread: Oklahoma City (-6.0)
Over/Under: Under (221.05)
