Oklahoma City Thunder vs Indiana Pacers Picks and Predictions March 29th 2025

Fresh Off Record Output, Pacers Face Tough Thunder Defense

When the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder last met, it was Oklahoma City’s suffocating defense that stole the show. As the two teams gear up for a Saturday night clash in OKC, all eyes are once again on the defensive battle — and how the Pacers’ red-hot offense will hold up against the league’s best defensive unit.

Back in December, the Thunder edged out the Pacers 120-114 thanks to a turnover differential that proved decisive. Oklahoma City forced 11 Indiana turnovers while only committing three themselves, translating that advantage into a 17-3 edge in points off turnovers.

Fast forward to now, and the Thunder have only tightened their defensive grip. Oklahoma City leads the NBA in defensive rating, allowing just 106.1 points per 100 possessions — a margin that no other team in the league has come close to matching.

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A major reason for their dominance is Luguentz Dort, who continues to anchor the perimeter defense with elite on-ball pressure.

“What he’s been to the point of our attack all year and throughout his whole career has been amazing,” said Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. “There’s nobody in the NBA like him. What he does is special every night. You can’t teach it, it’s a gift.”

In their December meeting, Dort helped hold Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton to just four points, despite not recording a single steal or block — a testament to his defensive presence.

Thunder Chase History, Pacers Seek Playoff Security

The Thunder (61-12) are flying high, riding an eight-game winning streak and dreaming big. If they win their remaining nine games, they’ll join the legendary 2015-16 Warriors and 1995-96 Bulls as the only teams in NBA history to reach 70 wins in a regular season. With the Western Conference’s top spot already clinched, Oklahoma City has nothing to lose and everything to prove.

Their swarming defense is matched by their ability to turn opponents’ mistakes into points. OKC forces an NBA-high 17.1 turnovers per game and turns those into big scoring swings — including 29 points off 19 turnovers in their latest win over Memphis.

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Meanwhile, the Pacers (43-30) are firmly in the Eastern Conference playoff picture, but still jockeying for favorable positioning. They’ve won six of their last seven, with their most recent outing being a record-setting 162-109 blowout over the Washington Wizards. Indiana hit 27 threes — just two shy of an NBA record — with Haliburton dropping 29 points on 7-of-10 shooting from deep.

“He gets that vibe going and it gets our team juiced up,” said Pacers coach Rick Carlisle. “It can be difficult when you’re facing a guy making shots like that.”

Haliburton will be looking to avenge his rough showing from the last Thunder game, but he’ll need to be razor-sharp against Dort and company.

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Offense Meets Defense in Key Matchup

Saturday’s game is a true test of strengths. The Pacers bring one of the league’s most explosive offenses into a hostile environment, facing a Thunder team that thrives on defensive chaos and transition opportunities. Both teams rank in the NBA’s top five in limiting their own turnovers — meaning every possession will matter.

If you’re looking to make informed NBA picks, this is the kind of matchup where defensive metrics and offensive form collide in fascinating ways. See who the experts are backing in this heavyweight battle with the latest NBA predictions.