NBA Finals Game 3 Preview: Pacers Look to Regain Momentum on Home Soil
The 2025 NBA Finals are set to resume on Wednesday, June 12, with Game 3 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, where the Pacers will look to regain the upper hand against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The series is currently tied at 1-1, after the Thunder stormed back from a 13-point deficit in Game 2 to secure a 123-107 victory.
According to the NBA, the last time Indianapolis hosted an NBA Finals game was in 2000, when the Pacers thrashed the Los Angeles Lakers 120-87 in Game 5. However, the Lakers went on to win the series in six games. A similar scenario unfolded in 2001, when the Philadelphia 76ers, led by Allen Iverson’s 48 points, stole Game 1 from the Lakers, only to lose the series in five games.
The Pacers will look to buck the trend and take control of the series on their home court. The NBA highlights four key areas to watch in Game 3. Firstly, the Pacers need to capitalize on the minutes when Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is on the bench. Gilgeous-Alexander has been instrumental in the Thunder’s success, with the team boasting a net rating of 5.2 when he is not on the court.
"It’s tricky for a player such as Haliburton to impose his will on a game because he’s a pass-first point guard," the NBA notes. "He relies on his teammates to get open and hit shots, if only in spurts, to open opportunities for himself as a scorer."
The Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton has struggled to find his scoring rhythm in the Finals, with just 31 points in two games. The NBA reports that when Haliburton has scored at least 20 points in the playoffs, the Pacers have a 7-1 record. Conversely, when he has scored below 20, they are 6-4.
Another key factor will be the defensive performance of Thunder big man Chet Holmgren. In Game 2, Holmgren showed his versatility on defense, guarding players of varying sizes and showcasing his footwork and length.
The physicality of the game has also been a topic of discussion, with the Pacers feeling that the Thunder have been allowed to play a more physical style of defense. The NBA notes that the Thunder have been called for 39 fouls, shot 57 free throws, and made 50, while the Pacers have been called for 47 fouls, shot 47 free throws, and made 34.
As the series shifts to Indianapolis, the Pacers will look to use the energy of their home crowd to their advantage. The NBA reports that Games 3 and 4 will be played at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, where the Pacers have a strong record.
In conclusion, Game 3 of the 2025 NBA Finals promises to be an intense and closely contested affair. The Pacers will look to regain momentum on their home court, while the Thunder will aim to take control of the series. As the NBA notes, "the views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA, its clubs or Warner Bros. Discovery."
Steve Aschburner, a renowned NBA writer, contributed to this article. His work can be found here.
