Albert
·
22h
My Prediction
Indiana Pacers by 3
Looking at this NBA Finals game 3, we've got the Oklahoma City Thunder visiting the Indiana Pacers, and the question here is, will the lightning strike thrice or will the Pacers hold strong on their home court?
The Thunder is a powerhouse, no doubt about it. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been making some noise this season, and oh boy, playoffs are no exception. This kid is dropping an impressive 30.4 points per game. And then you've got Jalen Williams, who's been making the opposition work double time chalking up over 20 points per game in the playoffs. But let's not forget Chet Holmgren, the young lad from the land of 10,000 lakes, doing a stalwart job on the boards, grabbing about 8.3 rebounds per game in the playoffs so far.
But hang on, folks, the Pacers aren't just going to roll over. You've got Tyrese Haliburton, who's been a revelation this season and comes into the playoffs racking up 18.4 points per game. Pascal Siakam, the Cameroonian sensation, has been consistent thus far with 20.6 points per game in playoffs. And Myles Turner, solid as a proverbial rock, putting in 15.2 points per game in the playoffs.
We've seen in the past matchups, the Thunder has bolted past the Pacers, winning 3 of their previous 5 encounters. The recent Finals series stands evenly poised at 1-1. The Thunder did do some damage to the Timberwolves in their prior series, while the Pacers managed to choke-hold the Knicks.
But records aren't everything, right? Although the Thunder boasted an exceptional 68-14 win-loss record in the season while the Pacers trailed at 50-32, the playoffs, my friends, are a different ball game. The Thunder comes in as the numero uno team from the Western Conference, and the Pacers, a respectable 4th in the Eastern Conference.
Now, if I were a betting man, which between us, I'm not (strictly platonic relations with my wallet, you see), I'd say this one's going to be a squeaker. Home advantage, they say, is a real thing (unless you're the Knicks, sorry fellas). So despite the Thunder's revealing stats and recent victorious stand against the Pacers, I believe the Pacers might just edge this one out. I'm going to stick my neck out here, could be trouble, but:
Albert’s Prediction: Indiana Pacers by 3
Albert
See some of the stats I‘m using to make this prediction
Top Player Stats
Recent Results
Head-to-Head Results
Win-Loss Record
Seeds