The Indiana Pacers entered the 2025 NBA playoffs having already pulled off seven upsets before reaching the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Despite this impressive run, they were still seen as major underdogs, listed as 10-point outsiders for Game 1. True to their postseason form, Indiana defied expectations once again on Thursday, securing their most significant playoff upset to date, with Tyrese Haliburton delivering another series-winning last-second shot.
Game 2 of the Thunder vs. Pacers series is scheduled for Sunday night in Oklahoma City. Indiana finds itself categorized as a double-digit underdog once more, with oddsmakers setting Oklahoma City as an 11-point favorite on their home court. This marks the fifth time Indiana has faced double-digit odds this postseason. OKC has a strong season record against the spread (63-37) and an impressive 71% cover rate (37-15) at home. The projected total points (over-under) for the game is set at 228.5.
Betting on the NBA Finals offers numerous options. For those confident in another Pacers surprise, their money line odds for Game 2 are +440 (a $100 bet wins $440). Betting on an OKC victory requires risking $590 to win $100 (-590). Prop bets for Thunder vs. Pacers include wagers like the first basket scorer, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander having the lowest odds (+400), followed by Chet Holmgren (+500).
Prop betting extends to more detailed statistics, such as points, assists, rebounds, steals, blocks, and three-pointers. Combined statistical lines are also popular. For instance, Tyrese Haliburton`s combined points, rebounds, and assists (PAR) line is set at 30.5, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander`s PAR line is notably higher at 47.5 for Game 2. These lines are key for anyone looking into betting strategies for the Pacers vs. Thunder matchup.
While fans of the competing teams are heavily invested, the 2025 NBA Finals can also engage the broader basketball audience, especially with the recent growth in sports betting.
If you`re new to sports wagering or just a casual fan, don`t be intimidated. This guide covers the basics of basketball betting, helping you understand the process and potentially enhance your enjoyment of the 2025 NBA Finals.
Basketball Betting Basics
New bettors exploring NBA wagering should first explore various sportsbooks. They frequently offer attractive sign-up bonuses, such as deposit matches, “bet and get” deals, or “no sweat bets.”
Utilizing multiple sportsbooks also allows you to compare lines and odds for the same event. For example, one book might set the total points for the next Thunder vs. Pacers game at 230, while another offers it at 232. Comparing numbers to find the most favorable odds is always a recommended practice for NBA bets.
Taking advantage of sports betting promotions is an excellent way for new users to acquire bonus bets and get started with basketball wagering.
Once you`ve chosen a sportsbook, familiarize yourself with the different wager types. NBA betting pages typically highlight the upcoming game with plus/minus (+/-) pricing. Plus-money odds (e.g., +250 for an underdog) indicate the profit on a $100 bet ($250 profit on $100 stake). Minus-money odds (e.g., -300 for a favorite) show how much you must wager to win $100 ($300 stake to profit $100).
These prices are associated with the three primary types of bets:
- Spread: This is the points handicap the favorite must overcome. If the favorite is listed at (-5.5), they must win by 6 or more points to “cover the spread.” Conversely, the underdog (+5.5) covers if they win outright or lose by 5 points or fewer.
- Total (Over/Under): This represents the combined score of both teams. If the line is 227.5, the “Under” wins if the total score is 227 or less, while the “Over” wins if the score is 228 or higher.
- Moneyline: A straightforward bet on which team will win the game outright, regardless of the final score margin.
Expert Betting Advice for the NBA Finals
Seeking betting insights for Thunder vs. Pacers? Larry Hartstein, a Senior Editor who provides expert analysis based on industry sources and analytical methods, offers these key NBA betting tips:
1. Avoid betting on too many different markets (sides, totals, quarters, props, etc.) for a single game, especially in the Finals where odds are highly refined. Focus on a few wagers you feel most confident about.
2. To maintain interest throughout the series, consider a series bet. Before Game 1, betting OKC to win in six games or fewer (OKC -1.5 games) offered even odds (+100). Betting on the Pacers to win or lose by one game (Pacers +1.5 games) had odds of -120 (risk $120 to win $100). This keeps you engaged across multiple games.
3. Sportsbooks also provide series-long prop bets, such as predicting which player will lead the Finals in scoring, three-pointers, assists, or rebounds. The three-point category, in particular, can have significant variance, making it an appealing market to potentially back an underdog.
Thunder vs. Pacers Prop Bets
Prop bets add another layer of excitement to NBA wagering. These allow you to bet on specific events within the game, focusing on teams, individual players, or the game itself.
Player props are very popular, offering numerous options based on statistics. A common example is betting on a player`s points total, such as Over or Under 26.5 points. Combo player props, like betting on the combined total of a player`s points, rebounds, and assists (PAR) against a set line, are also widely used.
Team props involve wagers specific to one team`s performance. Examples include predicting the type of their first successful shot (2-pointer, 3-pointer, or free throw), their total points for the game, or which player will be their leading rebounder.
Some of the most engaging prop bets are game props. These can involve betting on whether the game will go into overtime, the number of dunks within the first five minutes, or which team will reach 20 points first.
Thunder vs. Pacers Parlays
Parlays are a favored betting type across many sports, including the NBA. A parlay combines multiple individual bets into a single wager, requiring every selection to win for the parlay to pay out. Here`s a hypothetical example from a regular season night:
- Miami Heat Moneyline (+250)
- Bulls vs. Nets Over 211.5 (-110)
- LeBron James Under 8.5 assists (-132)
Winning all three bets in this example would result in cumulative odds of +1074. This illustrates why parlays offer higher potential payouts but are inherently more challenging to win than single bets.
For the NBA Finals, Same-Game Parlays (SGPs) are the primary parlay type available. The principle remains the same – you must win every leg of the bet – but all selections must come from the same specific game.
It`s worth noting that each sportsbook calculates SGP odds using its own formula, highlighting the benefit of comparing options across different betting platforms.
NBA Futures Betting
Another popular wager type is the futures bet. Sportsbooks offer a wide selection of these for NBA teams and players. Futures bets are typically placed well in advance (season-long or postseason-long) and pay out if the player or team achieves a specific milestone or wins an award. With the 2024-25 NBA season nearing its end, current NBA futures focus on the next season. In fact, you can already place bets on the winner of the 2026 NBA Championship while the 2025 Finals are still underway.
Team futures markets include predicting the NBA champion, conference winners, over/under for regular season wins, or whether a team will make the playoffs. Player futures options include betting on who will win MVP or other awards, or a player`s statistical averages.
For the current season, a notable futures bet still available is the Finals MVP award winner. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, being the regular season MVP, is also the favorite for this award. Historically, every Finals MVP since Jerry West in 1969 (who won while playing for the runner-up Lakers) has come from the championship-winning team.
How to Bet on the NBA Finals
Sportsbooks have already published odds for the 2025-26 NBA Finals, with initial lines for the 2025 winner appearing during the previous season`s championship series. These odds will fluctuate throughout the upcoming season, making it beneficial to compare lines across different books over time.
Betting on the NBA Finals or playoffs is largely similar to wagering on regular-season games. The main difference lies in the availability of series bets. You can bet on the outright winner of a series (e.g., Pacers defeat the Knicks in an example), or place a wager on the precise outcome (e.g., Pacers defeat the Knicks in six games).
Live Betting on Thunder vs. Pacers
Similar to many other sports, NBA games offer live betting, which allows you to place wagers while the game is actively being played. The odds constantly adjust based on factors like the current score, remaining time, foul situations, and game momentum.
Live betting can be advantageous if you prefer to observe how a game unfolds before placing a bet. For example, if a team is dealing with significant injuries, you might want to see how they perform in the opening minutes before committing to a wager.
Expert Tips for NBA Finals Betting
The NBA can be highly unpredictable, as seen in the recent conference finals where only one top-2 seed advanced. Therefore, simply betting the favorite against the spread is often not a winning long-term strategy. Here are additional betting tips from Mike Barner, an expert with a strong record on NBA picks:
Regarding trends for NBA Finals bets: “It`s difficult to rely heavily on regular season matchups because teams often weren`t at full strength. I prefer analyzing recent playoff trends and team rotations. If you do look at regular season data, focus on overall team statistics like pace or defensive rating.”
Tips for new NBA bettors: “Remember that role players and those coming off the bench often perform better when playing at home, where the crowd provides significant support.”
Favorite bet types for major events like the Finals: “I favor prop bets for star players. They are on the court for extended periods and heavily involved in the offense during crucial games. I avoid taking chances on props for players deep on the bench with low statistical lines. Concentrate on the starters who have the biggest impact.”
Game 2 Picks for Thunder vs. Pacers
You`ve now covered the basics of betting on the Pacers vs. Thunder matchup. For specific Game 2 picks, consult expert analysis and models which provide top-rated NBA selections.
Jasper Hawthorne