Indiana Pacers game preview: Pacers duel OKC Thunder in final 2022-23 game against Western Conference foe
The Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder duel tonight in the Pacers final interconference game of the season. The Thunder stomped the Pacers back in January.
Indiana is on the precipice of being eliminated from play-in consideration while Oklahoma City is in 10th place in the Western Conference. Both teams have seeding considerations tonight with only a few games left in the season.
Viewing and Betting Information
Tip off time: 7 p.m. Eastern Time
Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana
Where to watch: NBA League Pass, Bally Sports Indiana/Bally Sports+, Bally Sports Oklahoma
Spread and Over/Under: The Pacers are slight underdogs as they are +1.5 in the SI Sportsbook. The over/under for the game is 237.5.
Pacers vs Thunder Injury Report
For the Pacers, wing Kendall Brown (right tibia stress fracture), wing Chris Duarte (left ankle soreness), and guard Tyrese Haliburton (right ankle sprain/left ankle soreness) are out. Center Myles Turner (left ankle soreness) is questionable. Guard Gabe York, who the Pacers just signed, is questionable as a part of his two-way contract.
For the Thunder, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, Lindy Waters III, and Kenrich Williams are out.
Key Matchups
Pacers rookie Bennedict Mathurin is a part of multiple key matchups tonight for different, unique reasons. On one hand, he will get to go against Thunder forward Jalen Williams, who has seemingly passed Mathurin in the Rookie of the Year race. Indiana's star rookie will have a chance to shine against Oklahoma City's tonight.
Mathurin will also duel with Luguentz Dort tonight. The two are very close and competitive, so any possessions where they have a head-to-head matchup will be a delight.
Andrew Nembhard vs Josh Giddey: Two talented young point guards will square off tonight as Andrew Nembhard and Josh Giddey will run things for their teams. Nembhard has been impressive as a floor general in recent weeks.
Giddey, meanwhile, has started all season and averages 16.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 6.2 assists per game. He is creative with the ball and will be a tough matchup for Nembhard.
- Indiana Pacers sign guard Gabe York to a two-way contract. CLICK HERE.
- Jordan Nwora sets Indiana Pacers regular season franchise record for points in one quarter with 25. CLICK HERE.
- Rick Carlisle on the Indiana Pacers stretch run: 'Guys are learning and they are finding out what it's about'. CLICK HERE.
- Cleveland Cavaliers clinch playoff berth, will officially send first-round draft pick to Indiana Pacers. CLICK HERE.
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