The 2025 NBA Finals have delivered a stunning twist as the Indiana Pacers – widely considered underdogs against the 68-win Oklahoma City Thunder – now stand just two victories away from their first championship in franchise history. With Game 4 set for Friday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC), this pivotal matchup could determine whether we get a competitive series or see Indiana push OKC to the brink.
Series Shock: Pacers Defying Expectations
After stealing Game 1 in Oklahoma City and reclaiming home-court advantage with a decisive Game 3 win (116-107), the Pacers have proven they’re more than just a feel-good story. Their balanced attack, led by Tyrese Haliburton’s playmaking (22.3 ppg, 11.2 apg this series) and Pascal Siakam’s two-way dominance, has exposed rare cracks in OKC’s typically suffocating defense.
Game 4 Keys to Victory
For Indiana:
- Continue exploiting OKC’s struggling perimeter defense (Pacers shooting 39.7% from three)
- Maintain physicality against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (32.6 ppg in Finals)
- Win the bench battle (Pacers reserves +28 in series)
For Oklahoma City:
- Get Chet Holmgren more involved (just 12.3 ppg after 18.9 ppg in regular season)
- Force Haliburton into turnovers (only 2.8 per game this series)
- Improve transition defense (Pacers averaging 18.7 fastbreak points)
Expert Predictions Divided
Our panel of analysts is split on Game 4:
- Pro-Pacers: Scooby Axson (118-108), James Williams (110-104)
- Pro-Thunder: Majority favor OKC by 4-13 points
- Consensus: Slight edge to Thunder (-2.5 point favorites)
Betting Lines (as of June 13):
- Spread: Thunder -2.5
- Total: 217.5
- Series Price: Thunder -140 / Pacers +120
Historical Context
Teams winning Game 3 after a 1-1 split have gone on to win the series 71% of the time. However, the Thunder were 32-9 after losses this season – best in the NBA.
How to Watch
📅 Date: Friday, June 13
⏰ Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
📺 TV: ABC
📱 Streaming: ESPN app, Fubo
With the series potentially swinging dramatically based on Friday’s result, Game 4 promises high-stakes drama. Will the Thunder’s championship pedigree shine through, or can the upstart Pacers continue their Cinderella run? The basketball world will be watching as these contrasting styles collide in what’s become the most unpredictable Finals in recent memory.