Indiana Pacers vs Oklahoma City Thunder preview: Start time, where to watch, injury report, betting odds March 12
The Indiana Pacers finish up a road trip tonight with a game in Oklahoma City against the Thunder. Despite it being March 12, this is the first meeting of the season between the two teams.
Oklahoma City is one of the best teams in the NBA — they rank in the top-four in both offensive rating and defensive rating. Indiana will have to be at their absolute best to keep up, and that still might not be enough against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and co.
Viewing and Betting Information
Tip off time: 8 p.m. Eastern Time
Location: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Where to watch: NBA League Pass, Bally Sports Indiana, Bally Sports+, Bally Sports Oklahoma
Spread and Over/Under: The Pacers are big underdogs as they are currently +6.5 in the SI Sportsbook. The over/under for the game is 240.5.
Pacers vs Thunder Injury Report
For the Pacers, Doug McDermott is out with a right calf strain and Bennedict Mathurin is out with a torn right labrum. Quenton Jackson, Oscar Tshiebwe, and Isaiah Wong are questionable as a part of their two-way contracts.
For the Thunder, Ousmane Dieng, Adam Flagler, Keyontae Johnson, and Olivier Sarr are out .Jalen Williams is questionable.
Key Matchup
T.J. McConnnell vs Cason Wallace: McConnell has been playing excellent basketball recently, guiding the Pacers bench to success since the All-Star break. In that time, the 31-year old is averaging 12.9 points and 5.2 assists per game while shooting 61.8% from the field. He's been terrific.
His matchup will be Wallace, who had 22 points in the Thunder's last outing. The 2023 lottery pick is a great defender for a rookie and plays with a ton of energy — he and McConnell are similar in that way. These reserve guards will be critical in this game.
- Bennedict Mathurin to miss the rest of the 2023-24 season for the Indiana Pacers due to a torn right labrum. CLICK HERE.
- Slow starts, like Thursday's vs Timberwolves, holding Indiana Pacers back during a key point in the season. CLICK HERE.
- Indiana Pacers chasing the playoffs and watching the standings as March arrives. CLICK HERE.
- Indiana Pacers use a huge third quarter to topple Orlando Magic on the road. CLICK HERE.
- Follow AllPacers on Facebook: All Pacers SI
- Follow AllPacers on Twitter: @SIPacers
