The 2025 NBA Finals has reached a thrilling juncture as the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers gear up for Game 3 in Indiana. After splitting the first two games of this intense series, the atmosphere is charged with anticipation, and both teams are eager to seize the upper hand. The Pacers, despite being 5.5-point underdogs at home with a total points line set at 228.5, have shown resilience and determination, refusing to bow to the heavily favored Thunder.
One of the pivotal figures in this series is Oklahoma City’s 27-year-old center, Isaiah Hartenstein. Signed by the Thunder in July 2024, Hartenstein has quickly become a cornerstone of their lineup, renowned for his exceptional passing and rim protection. His journey to the NBA is unconventional; he bypassed college basketball, honing his skills overseas with Germany's Artland Dragons and Lithuania's Žalgiris Kaunas before being drafted 43rd overall by the Houston Rockets in 2017. Now in the first year of a lucrative three-year, $87-million contract, Hartenstein’s impact is palpable.
Throughout the 2024-25 NBA season, Hartenstein has delivered impressive statistics: averaging 11.2 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game, while shooting an efficient 58.1% from the field. His defensive presence is underscored by 0.8 steals and 1.1 blocks per game. In the playoffs, his rebounding prowess has been especially notable, with an average of 7.9 rebounds per game, despite a reduction in playing time from 27.9 minutes in the regular season to 23.5 minutes in the postseason.
In the Finals, Hartenstein’s role has seen some adjustments. Although relegated to a bench role in the first two games, he has consistently outperformed expectations on the glass, pulling down 9 rebounds in just 17 minutes during Game 1 and 8 rebounds in 22 minutes in Game 2. His rebounding prop bet of over 7.5 rebounds is favored at +120 odds on FanDuel Sportsbook, a recommendation supported by his average of 15.7 rebounds per 36 minutes in the Finals. Despite limited minutes, Hartenstein's effectiveness is undeniable, and Thunder coach Mark Daigneault may look to increase his playing time in Game 3.
Offensively, Hartenstein’s contributions are more subtle. His points prop for Game 3 is set at 7.5, with some experts recommending the under based on his tendency to focus on facilitating plays rather than scoring. He tallied 9 points in Game 1 but dropped to just 3 points in Game 2, emphasizing his role as a playmaker who sets perimeter screens and delivers precise passes. Doug Kezirian, a seasoned betting analyst with a 49-40-1 ATS record, advises betting on Hartenstein to score under 7.5 points in Game 3, highlighting that scoring is not his primary function.
The Pacers, on the other hand, are spearheaded by point guard Tyrese Haliburton, who has been a dynamic force throughout the playoffs. After scoring 17 points in Game 2, Haliburton is expected to elevate his game in front of the home crowd. His performance in the Eastern Conference Finals showcased his home-court dominance, averaging 24.3 points and 11.7 assists per game at Indiana compared to 17.7 points and 9.3 assists on the road. The SportsLine projection model favors Haliburton to surpass 17.5 points in Game 3, making his over bet a popular choice among bettors.
Another key player for the Pacers is Pascal Siakam, who has been a versatile contributor with 19 points and 10 rebounds in Game 1, followed by 15 points and 7 rebounds in Game 2. However, Siakam’s scoring efficiency has been challenged by the Thunder's defense, particularly by Jalen Williams, who has limited Siakam’s effectiveness in the paint. Siakam’s points prop is set at under 18.5 points, with analysts pointing to his 41% shooting against Oklahoma City this season and his struggles in the Finals as reasons to expect a subdued offensive output in Game 3.
The Thunder’s bench has also made headlines, with Aaron Wiggins exploding for 18 points in Game 2, while Bennedict Mathurin provided 14 points for the Pacers. These unexpected offensive bursts add an element of unpredictability to the series, complicating betting strategies and intensifying the competition.
The dynamic between these two teams is further highlighted by the contrasting styles of their star guards. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the 2025 NBA MVP, has been a consistent scoring threat for Oklahoma City, while Haliburton’s playmaking and scoring ability have kept Indiana competitive. Both players are expected to be central figures in Game 3, potentially influencing the game's flow and outcome significantly.
As the series shifts to Indiana, the Pacers aim to capitalize on their home advantage, energized by their strong playoff performances at home, including averaging 127.5 points in their final two games against the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Thunder, meanwhile, seek to maintain their momentum and leverage their depth and defensive tenacity to control the pace.
With so much at stake and the series finely balanced, Game 3 promises to be a captivating contest. The betting markets reflect this tension, with the Thunder favored but the Pacers showing no signs of surrender. Whether it’s Hartenstein’s rebounding dominance, Haliburton’s scoring surge, or Siakam’s battle against Oklahoma City’s defense, fans and bettors alike will be watching closely as these two teams vie for supremacy in the 2025 NBA Finals.
