NBA Finals Predictions: Experts ‍Reassess Pacers vs. Thunder After Game 3

⁢ Updated June 13, 2025
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The⁤ Indiana pacers’ surprising performance ‍in the NBA Finals has prompted ⁣experts to reconsider their initial predictions. Entering the series, the Pacers were notable underdogs against the Oklahoma City Thunder, who dominated the regular season.Though, Indiana’s ⁣resilience, ⁤highlighted by Tyrese Haliburton’s clutch plays, has leveled the ⁤playing field.

After the Pacers secured a 2-1 series‍ lead with⁣ a Game 3 ⁢victory, several analysts are adjusting their forecasts. Prior to the⁣ Finals,none of ⁢the experts had predicted an Indiana ⁤victory,with most expecting them to lose earlier in the playoffs. Now,the possibility of ⁣an NBA Finals upset ⁣is becoming increasingly real.

Despite the Pacers’ success, the Oklahoma City Thunder remain the‍ betting favorites.Caesars Sportsbook lists Oklahoma‍ City ⁣at -225 to win the series,while Indiana is at +185.

Expert Re-Picks for the 2025 NBA Finals

Botkin: Thunder in 7. He maintains that Oklahoma City is the superior team, predicting they will win Games 4 and 5, with Indiana taking Game 6 before ⁤the ⁣Thunder⁤ close out the ⁣series at home. He believes Oklahoma⁢ City has controlled most of the series, with Indiana capitalizing ⁢on key moments.

Herbert: Thunder in⁤ 6. He is sticking with his original‍ pick, emphasizing his respect for the⁤ Pacers as a worthy Finals team facing a juggernaut. He acknowledges underestimating Indiana but remains confident in Oklahoma City.

Maloney: Pacers⁤ in ⁣6. He is now predicting a Pacers ⁤victory, citing their overall⁣ strength and difficulty to play against.⁢ He ‍acknowledges the risk of overreacting but notes‍ that⁢ teams winning Game 3 of a⁤ 1-1 NBA Finals series have historically won ‍the ⁢title 80% of the time.

Quinn: Thunder in 6. He acknowledges the Pacers’ strong fourth-quarter ⁣performances but ultimately trusts Oklahoma City’s season-long consistency. He draws a parallel to the 2015 ‍NBA Finals, where the Golden State Warriors’ ‍superior roster eventually prevailed.

Ward-Henninger: Thunder in 7. He is sticking with his original prediction of a long series, banking on Oklahoma City’s strong home-court advantage.However, he notes signs that the Pacers are wearing the Thunder down.

Wimbish: ⁤Thunder ⁤in 7. He extends his prediction to ‍seven games⁢ but still expects Oklahoma City to win, primarily due to having home-court advantage in ‍Game 7.He acknowledges the series has been closer than anticipated.

What’s next

The series ‍continues with game 4,where the Pacers will look to defend⁣ their home court against the Thunder. A win⁤ would put Indiana on the brink of their first NBA championship, while an Oklahoma City⁤ victory would even the series and ⁣shift momentum back to the Thunder.