Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam is expected to play a pivotal role in Game 6 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, especially with concerns surrounding Tyrese Haliburton’s availability due to a strained calf. Haliburton has indicated that under normal circumstances, the injury would keep him out for weeks during the regular season, making his playing status uncertain.
The betting market has reacted to Haliburton’s potential absence, adjusting Siakam’s points prop from 20.5 to 21.5. Despite facing Oklahoma City’s strong defensive lineup, there’s optimism that Siakam can rise to the occasion. In fact, while averaging 20.1 points in games played alongside Haliburton, Siakam has shown he can step up without him, averaging 21.5 points across the six games he played without Haliburton this season.
Siakam’s recent performance includes a notable 28-point game in Game 5, where Haliburton was limited due to injury. His scoring effectiveness has been enhanced by Andrew Nembhard’s increased playmaking responsibilities when Haliburton is sidelined, resulting in Siakam shooting at a higher percentage despite a similar number of shot attempts.
For Game 6, betting experts favor Pascal Siakam to score over 21.5 points, with some proposing a same-game parlay that includes Siakam scoring over 21.5 points, under 1.5 three-pointers, and over 0.5 blocks. The rationale is that Siakam may not rely heavily on three-point shots in the absence of Haliburton, yet he has become more efficient in scoring overall.
As the Pacers look to advance in the postseason, Siakam’s ability to lead the offense will be crucial, especially considering the intensity of playoff defense. His recent performance has shown that he can thrive under pressure, providing hope for the Pacers fans that his contributions can lead to a successful effort in Game 6.