Pacers vs. Thunder: NBA Finals Game 2 Predictions, How to Watch

The Oklahoma City Thunder, like the New York Knicks, got an early dose of the Tyrese Haliburton treatment, falling at home in Game 1 after a stunning buzzer-beater by the Indiana Pacers guard.

Now the Thunder look to avoid falling into an 0-2 hole like the Knicks did in the Eastern Conference Finals.

To avoid such a deficit, Oklahoma City will need to give Shai Gilgeous-Alexander more support. The regular season MVP poured in 38 points in Game 1 on 14 of 30 shooting. The rest of the Thunder shot just 37% from the field.

Second-chance points could have helped compensate for the lackluster shooting. But the Thunder were also outrebounded by the Pacers, 56 to 39, despite ranking in the top five in the playoffs in rebounding.

If the Thunder offense continues to sputter, it’ll need to rely on its defense. OKC helped force 19 first-half turnovers by Indiana in Game 1 — a big reason why it went into halftime up 12. The Pacers tightened their game in the second half, making just five turnovers, enabling their comeback.

Expect the Thunder to make necessary adjustments and come out on top tonight — as they have after every loss in the 2025 NBA Playoffs.

Game Prediction: Thunder by eight.

Series Prediction: Thunder in six.

How to Watch Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Game 2

Tonight’s Pacers–Thunder Game 2 tips off just after 8:00 PM Eastern. It airs on ABC and streams on the ABC and ESPN apps and websites.