"I think Indiana wins Game 3"- Isiah Thomas issues bold prediction as the 2025 NBA Finals shift to "The Hoosier State"
"I think Indiana wins Game 3"- Isiah Thomas issues bold prediction as the 2025 NBA Finals shift to "The Hoosier State" originally appeared on Basketball Network.
The Indiana Pacers have certainly been the biggest surprise of the 2025 Playoffs. Not remotely considered championship contenders, Coach Rick Carlisle and his crew made history, with the franchise clinching its first Finals appearance since 2000.
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Voted as the most overrated player, Tyrese Haliburton responded in the best way possible. Letting his game do all the talking, the 25-year-old sent the likes of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Donovan Mitchell and Jalen Brunson back home empty-handed.
What has stood out the most about Hali lately is his clutch performance. After stunning the Knicks fans at Madison Square Garden, the Iowa State product stole Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals, sinking a game-winning jumper that gave his team the first and only lead of the game.
Never one to shy away from the moment, the OKC Thunder answered in dominant fashion. Led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, they cruised past the Pacers to tie the series at 1-1. As the battle heads to Indiana's Gainbridge Fieldhouse, former Pistons great turned analyst Isiah Thomas backed Haliburton and company to take control, especially in Game 3.
"Game 3 is the most important game in the series. Game 3 is where you get momentum at, and I see Indiana winning Game 3 at home and forcing to perform in a Game 4, or OKC is got to win a Game 5 to stretch it to Game 6. I think Indiana goes home; they know how important Game 3 is. I think Indiana wins Game 3," predicted "Zeke," who is widely regarded as a Top 5 point guard of all time.
Will home-court advantage enable the Pacers to regain the lead?
As the Finals shift to Indiana for Games 3 and 4, one can expect a loud and energetic crowd at their home gym in what is also their first Finals appearance in over 25 years. The Pacers will look to maximize the situation, especially with the Thunder losing the home-court advantage after the Game 1 stunner.
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At home, the Pacers stand at 29-12 during the 2024-25 regular season and 6-2 in the playoffs. Thus, the odds are in its favor for the next two games of the Finals. Still, the Thunder hold a respectable 4-3 record on the road this postseason, making it entirely likely for them to get their Game 1 payback — whether in Game 3, Game 4, or perhaps both. What adds even more intrigue is the elite-level defense that Mark Daigneault and his squad continue to hang their hats on.
Related: "Dad, you at 17, me at 17, who was better? I said, 'Listen, son...'" - Dominique Wilkins on the moment he realized his son didn't know how great of a player he was
Where did the Pacers go wrong in Game 2?
The plan to double-team Hali seems to have produced favorable results in Game 2, given the two-time All-Star was limited to 17 points with five turnovers. Reigning ECF MVP Pascal Siakam had a rough night, going 3-for-11 from the field and finishing with 15 points. Outrebounded both offensively and defensively, the Pacers didn't have a great shooting night from the field.
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OKC came out unstoppable, leaving no stone unturned this time around. The Big 3 of Shai, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren had an impressive outing. Alex Caruso and Aaron Wiggins stepped up off the bench, combining to shoot an impressive 9-of-16 from beyond the arc. And while the Thunder may be the deeper, more complete team on paper, they still have gaps to tighten if they plan on finishing this run with a title. That's exactly why Isiah picks Indiana to steal Game 3 and take control of the series.
Related: Dwyane Wade shares why Rick Carlisle should get more recognition for the Pacers' success: "I give a lot of credit to the leader over there"
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
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