On Friday evening, the Pacers will hold Game 4 Lightning in the 2025 NBA Finals. Indiana took a 2-1 series lead after a 116-107 victory in Game 3 on Wednesday.
Game 4 is extremely important for both teams in this series. Thunder’s victory tied the series 2-2, giving him a home court advantage once again. If the Pacers win Game 4, they will be one victory from the first NBA Championship. Ahead of Friday night, analysts around the league have questioned whether manager Mark Deanoo will need to adjust his starting lineup.
Will Mark Daigneault make adjustments before Game 4?
The Thunder is +7, with a double big lineup of Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmglen. They’ve played 10 minutes so far in the series.
– Sam Quinn (@samquinncbs) June 12, 2025
Throughout the first three rounds of the 2025 playoffs, the Oklahoma City Thunders used the same starting lineup for every game. They were Shy Gilgas Alexander, Jalen Williams, Lou Dort, Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein. In Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals, head coach Mark DeGreen tweaked the starting lineup. Instead of Hartenstein, Daigneault turned to Cason Wallace.
The Indiana Pacers are a fast-paced team and are always looking to move the ball in transition. That’s why Daigneault started Cason Wallace in the final of Isaiah Hartenstein. Wallace is a versatile Thunder defender, but he has a hard time helping his team attack. In the three final games, Wallace is 0-6 over the arc, earning a total of 17 points.
CBS Sports Reporter Sam Quinn pointed out that OKC is +7 in the final when Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein are on the floor together. However, the two major men share the court in 10 minutes of play between the three games. Another move from OKC is that it could start Alex Caruso via Cason Wallace. Caruso has played a key role for the Thunder in the 2025 NBA Finals. He scored 20 points in two games wins for OKC. Will the Thunder win in Game 4 and even Series 2-2 head towards Game 5?