Indianapolis is set to host an NBA Finals game for the first time in 25 years, as the Indiana Pacers take on the Oklahoma City Thunder at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been a key factor in their success so far, with a net rating of 12.8 when playing against the Pacers.
To counter this, the Pacers need to focus on making the most of their “non-SGA minutes” – periods when Gilgeous-Alexander is not on the court. According to recent data, teams that outscore opponents by at least 547 points when a star player like Nikola Jokić or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is on the court often win.
Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton has shown flashes of brilliance in the Finals, but needs to be more assertive as a scorer. When he scores at least 20 points in playoff games, Indiana is 7-1; when he does below that, they are just 6-4.
The Thunder’s Chet Holmgren has also stepped up his defensive game, showing impressive form on both ends of the court. His ability to switch onto smaller players and cover the restricted area without needing to be close to an attacker is a key factor in Oklahoma City’s success.
Furthermore, the Pacers need to pay attention to the referees’ calls, as the Thunder have been penalized with more fouls and free throws than Indiana in the first two games. A closer look at the whistle distribution may give the Pacers an advantage in the next games.
Source: https://www.nba.com/news/2025-nba-finals-game-3-preview