NBA Finals Games Three and Four Recap/Analysis

Photo by NATHAN J. FISH/THE OKLAHOMAN

Two more games of the 2025 NBA Finals are in the books, and we once again got two more exciting games from start to finish between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder. The series has one of the lowest Finals viewerships of all time, but all the people in the realm of NBA media and social media who don’t care to watch because of large-market bias are missing out on what’s shaping up to be the best finals since the Cavs 3-1 comeback in 2016.

The first finals game in Indiana in 25 years did not disappoint, as it produced the most back-and-forth game of the series to that point. The Pacers took a 2-1 series lead behind Tyrese Haliburton’s near triple-double and another excellent fourth quarter performance, outscoring the Thunder by 14 in the final period en-route to a 116-107 victory. As usual, the Pacers got loads of production from their bench; Benedict Mathurin was masterful, scoring 27 points in 22 minutes on 9-for-12 shooting from the field 2-for-3 from three-point land, while TJ McConnell tallied 10 points, five assists and, most importantly, five steals off almost pure hustle. The Thunder had to answer some tough questions after yet another shaky fourth quarter performance and questionable decision-making, but they answered the bell in game four.

The Pacers might’ve ruined their chance at their first title in franchise history in the final few minutes of game four. In what was a huge swing game of the series either way, Oklahoma City gave Indiana a taste of their own medicine, rallying for a fourth quarter comeback to avoid going down 3-1 and making it a best-of-three series while taking home-court advantage back. The Thunder two-headed monster in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams were incredible, combining for 62 points and going 21-for-21 from the free throw line. Alex Caruso also gave his usual spark off the bench, but on the offensive end too, recording his second 20-point game of the finals. The Pacers lost this game though in my opinion by getting away from their bread and butter offensively. Instead of the crisp ball movement and unselfish basketball that got them to this point, they went more of an iso-style of offense down the stretch, leading them to go cold and blow a four-point lead in the final three minutes. In order for the Pacers to have a chance in this series, they’re going to have to learn from that, and Tyrese Haliburton has to take charge as a leader and facilitator in that aspect.

In my games one and two recap, I correctly predicted the teams would split games three and four, with the Thunder eventually winning in seven after the home team wins the final three games. I’m going to stick with that prediction, as I do think the Pacers will get one more win, but I have a very tough time believing they can win another game in Oklahoma City.