Game Date: 06-16, 8:35 PM EST

The Line: Pacers +9.5, O/U 224.5

The Setup:

The Indiana Pacers travel to Oklahoma City to face the Thunder in Game 5 of what’s now a tied series, according to the NBA Instagram page.. Both teams are looking to grab a crucial 3-2 lead. Game 4 saw SGA explode for 15 points in the final 5 minutes to tie the series, so the Pacers defense will need to be on high alert.

Pacers’ Keys to Victory:

• Contain SGA: Limiting Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is paramount. Easier said than done, but the Pacers need to throw different looks at him, mix up their defensive schemes, and force him into tough shots.
• Dominate the Boards: If the Pacers can control the glass and limit the Thunder’s second-chance opportunities, it would disrupt OKC’s offensive flow.
• Fast-Paced Offense: The Pacers excel when pushing the tempo. They need to get out in transition and force the Thunder to play at their pace.

Thunder’s Keys to Victory:

• SGA’s Continued Excellence: SGA needs to maintain his high level of play. His scoring and playmaking are the engine of the Thunder offense.
• Home Court Advantage: The Thunder need to feed off the energy of their home crowd. The support can provide a significant boost.
• Defense: While the Pacers like to run, the Thunder’s defense can disrupt their pace. By creating turnovers and getting easy transition buckets, they can push their lead.

Prediction:

This game will likely be another close, high-intensity battle. The line suggests the Thunder should be favored, and given they are at home and possess a true superstar in SGA, it’s easy to see why. However, the Pacers have shown resilience and the ability to compete with the Thunder on their own terms.

Lean: Thunder -9.5. Home court advantage is significant in the playoffs, and it’s tough to bet against SGA at the moment. The Thunder should be able to win by double digits..

Over/Under: Lean under 224.5. Both teams will tighten up defensively with the series on the line. While both teams are talented offensively, the pressure of Game 5 will create a bit more defensive intensity.

Sources:
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