The Indiana Pacers enter their March 29, 2025, road contest against the Oklahoma City Thunder with a 40-31 record and riding a wave of confidence fueled by one of the league’s most dynamic offenses and a recent five-game win streak that has pushed them closer to securing a favorable playoff seed in the Eastern Conference. Led by star point guard Tyrese Haliburton, who is averaging 20.1 points and an NBA-leading 11.2 assists per game, the Pacers have become an offensive juggernaut, pushing the pace at every opportunity and spreading defenses thin with their elite floor spacing, movement, and unselfish ball movement. Haliburton’s ability to orchestrate the offense in both transition and half-court sets makes Indiana extremely difficult to guard, and his chemistry with big man Myles Turner in pick-and-roll actions adds an extra layer of danger, especially with Turner’s improved midrange and three-point shooting. The wing rotation, featuring Buddy Hield, Bennedict Mathurin, and Aaron Nesmith, provides a balance of shooting, slashing, and defensive hustle, giving the Pacers multiple weapons capable of scoring 20-plus on any given night. Off the bench, T.J. McConnell brings energy and tempo control, while Isaiah Jackson and Obi Toppin offer athleticism and second-chance scoring, making Indiana one of the deepest offensive teams in the league. The Pacers lead the NBA in scoring at over 121 points per game and shoot a league-best 50.6% from the field, ranking top three in offensive efficiency. However, their Achilles’ heel has remained on the defensive end, where they rank near the bottom in opponent points per game (allowing 120.3) and defensive rating, often struggling to close out on shooters and defend in transition after turnovers or missed shots.

This defensive vulnerability has led to mixed success in games against Western Conference opponents, where Indiana holds a sub-.500 record and has covered the spread inconsistently, going just 9-15 ATS in non-conference games. Against the Thunder, who thrive in the open floor and feature elite guard play, the Pacers will need to improve their transition defense and make a concerted effort to slow down Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s downhill attacks, while containing Jalen Williams and Josh Giddey from initiating second-side actions. Indiana’s game plan will likely emphasize tempo control, limiting turnovers, and exploiting mismatches created by Haliburton’s playmaking, particularly targeting Chet Holmgren’s absence in the paint if he remains sidelined due to injury. A key factor for the Pacers will be whether they can maintain their offensive rhythm against Oklahoma City’s aggressive perimeter defense, and if Haliburton can outduel Gilgeous-Alexander in what could be a showcase of two of the league’s best young guards. The Pacers have had success in recent head-to-head matchups, winning the last three games against OKC, including a 121-111 victory in March 2024, giving them some added psychological edge despite being on the road. Indiana knows the stakes are high with playoff seeding on the line, and if their high-octane offense continues clicking while they make just enough stops, they could walk out of Paycom Center with a crucial win and a statement that their brand of fast, modern basketball can win in any building.