Pacers vs Thunder Free Pick, NBA Free Picks, NBA Predictions 6/16/25
- J.A. Cavalier
- Jun 16
- 2 min read
INDIANA @ OKLAHOMA CITY (OKC -9.5, 230.5)
NBA ODDS, NBA PREDICTIONS, NBA PREVIEWS
PACERS @ THUNDER 6/16/25
The Oklahoma City Thunder acquired Alex Caruso in the offseason because of situations like these. With the best-of-seven series tied 2-2 going into Monday's Game 5 of the NBA Finals at home against the Indiana Pacers, Caruso is the main factor behind the Thunder's two-win margin for their first championship since relocating to Oklahoma City.
During the regular season, Caruso only appeared in 54 games, started three of them, and only once did he play 30 minutes or more. However, the veteran guard's role has grown during the postseason, especially in this series. In the series, Caruso has averaged 14.8 points, 2.5 steals, and 29.5 minutes per game. Although he doesn't start, he is on the court in crucial situations toward the end of close games.
Caruso has scored 20 points three times in the playoffs, including twice in the Finals, after failing to score more than 19 points in the regular season. In Game 4, Oklahoma City defeated Indianapolis 111-104, and he scored 20 points on 7-of-9 shooting.
Caruso made the comment that he wants to win whether it's a pickup game in the offseason or the NBA Finals. Caruso, who participated in the Lakers' 2020 championship, is the only Thunder player with Finals experience prior to this season.
Despite having very different roles, Pascal Siakam has contributed a comparable amount of experience to the Pacers, having played a part in Toronto's 2019 championship. The Pacers are looking to regain the upper hand after letting a chance to establish firm control of the series slip away in a Game 4 loss. The Thunder are looking to keep building momentum after outscoring Indiana 12-1 in the last three minutes of Game 4.
After defeating Denver in seven games in the second round after being tied 2-2 after four games, the Thunder are in this position for the second time this postseason. The series now becomes a best-of-three.
After winning all three of their prior series 3-1 after four games, the Pacers haven't been in this position this postseason.
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Coach Rick FREE PICK
THUNDER (1Q) -3.5
It’s a big number for a first quarter spread, but the Thunder have covered it in 3 of the 4 games in the NBA Finals. They’ve also covered it in 5 of their last 6 games and 13 of their last 20. The Thunder finished second in first quarter net rating this season and in home playoff games this season, OKC has outscored its opponents in the opening quarter by +8.7 points. Indiana ranks in the bottom-5 in first quarter scoring differential.
