The Oklahoma City Thunder have now lost back-to-back games and are looking to get back on track as they push toward the top seed in the Western Conference when they head to Indiana to take on the Pacers in this Friday night showdown. We take a look at this matchup to make a Thunder-Pacers prediction and pick.

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Oklahoma City Thunder (52-24) are now on a two-game skid which is in large part due to the absence of both Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams. They both got injured in their 113-112 road victory against the New York Knicks and they are reeling now without their presence on the court.

It's been up to the combination of Josh Giddey, Chet Holmgren, and Luguentz Dort attempting to lead the charge for this Thunder offense. Unfortunately, it just hasn't been enough as they looked out of place in their most recent blowout loss to the Boston Celtics who demolished them by a score of 135-100.

The Thunder will look to right the ship and stop the bleeding when they head to Indiana to take on the Pacers in this Friday-night showdown.

Indiana Pacers (43-34) host the Oklahoma City Thunder, aiming to get back on track after dropping their recent matchup against the Brooklyn Nets. That was a devastating loss after they won back-to-back games and were looking to continue their climb up the Eastern Conference rankings but now they are just 0.5 games ahead of the Miami Heat for 6th place and out of the play-in tournament.

Every game for the remainder of the regular season is crucial for the Pacers to win to keep themselves from playing in the play-in tournament. So, this game against the injury-plagued Thunder is a must-win for the Pacers. The Pacers have certainly missed Myles Turner's presence down low in their game against the Nets and his presence will be needed and the Pacers hope he will be out there when they play host to the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder in tonight's matchup.

THUNDER VS. PACERS FANDUEL ODDS FOR ARR. 5

MONEY LINE

• OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER: +205
• INDIANA PACERS: -250

SPREAD

• OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER: +6.5 (-112)
• INDIANA PACERS: -6.5 (-108)

OVER/UNDER (TOTAL)

• OVER 234.5 (-110)
• UNDER 234.5 (-110)

BEST ODDS FOR OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER VS. INDIANA PACERS

• The Indiana Pacers are -6.5-point favorites against the Oklahoma City Thunder. BetRivers currently has the best odds at -6 (-110)
• The Oklahoma City Thunder are the underdogs by 6.5 points to cover the spread. ESPNBet? currently has the best odds at +6.5 (-110)
• FanDuel currently has the best odds for the total, which is set at 208 (-110) for the over, and (-110) for the under

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OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER VS. INDIANA PACERS INJURY REPORT

OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER INJURY REPORT

• JALEN WILLIAM - DOUB FRI- ANKLE
• SHAI GILGEOUS-ALEXANDER - OUT - QUADRICEP

INDIANA PACERS INJURY REPORT INJURY REPORT

• MYLES TURNER - QUES FRI - FINGER
• BENNEDICT MATHURIN - OUT FOR SEASON - SHOULDER

WHY OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER WILL COVER THE SPREAD

The Oklahoma City Thunder are still gunning for the top seed in the Western Conference as they are just 1 game back from the conference-leading Minnesota Timberwolves. However, they are riding a two-game losing streak with back-to-back losses to the Celtics and 76ers. They are missing their two star players Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams who have been out these past two games due to injury. Unfortunately for the Thunder, Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams will not be available for this pivotal road matchup with the Pacers.

Even though they will still be without their top two scoring options, the Thunder still have plenty of players who can pick up the slack, especially against a team like the Pacers who lack defense. In their loss to the Celtics, they had a collective effort all around with all five of their starters scoring in double figures with Isaiah Joe off the bench scoring 13.

WHY INDIANA PACERS WILL COVER THE SPREAD

The Indiana Pacers have had mixed results over their last 10 games with just a 6-4 record alternating wins and losses throughout. They most recently dropped a much-needed win against the Brooklyn Nets by a score of 111-115. The Pacers were missing a key piece to their team when Myles Turner was out against the Nets with a finger injury. He is now looking like he will be back in the lineup which is a major boost to this Indiana Pacers squad as they look to stay out of the play-in tournament in the Eastern Conference.

The Pacers have a great core of players like Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam, and the aforementioned Myles Turner that makes it tough for even a fully healthy squad to come away victorious. Now, this healthy Pacers team gets to take on an injury-rattled Thunder squad that is simply just limping into the playoffs at this point. If the Pacers can play up to their true potential we can see them get back on track to solidify that 6 seed in the Eastern Conference.

FINAL THUNDER-PACERS PICK & PREDICTION

The Oklahoma City Thunder have some uphill sledding ahead of them without most of their two premier scorers Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams when they take on a healthy Indian Pacers team. While the Pacers are just 6-4 in their last 10 games they are also 6-4 ATS as well, covering two of their last three as a favorite with Turner in the lineup.

While the Thunder still has a great core of young players, it's going to be tough for them this game against a high-octane Indiana Pacers offense. Ultimately, expect Haliburton and this Pacers team to play up-tempo keeping his Thunder squad on their heels all night as they drown them down the stretch getting the win and covering this spread at home.

FINAL THUNDER-PACERS PICK & PREDICTION: Indiana Pacers -6.5 (-108)

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