The excitement is palpable as the **2025 NBA Finals** move to **Indianapolis**, with the **Oklahoma City Thunder** and the **Indiana Pacers** showcasing their skills in a series that’s already split at one game each. After a thrilling set of matches at the **Paycom Center**, it’s now the Pacers’ home court, **Gainbridge Fieldhouse**, where the stakes are high. Game 3 is set to start at **8:30 p.m. ET** on Wednesday, and history shows that a staggering **79%** of teams that claim a **2-1 lead** in the Finals go on to secure the championship.
In the latest betting lines, the Thunder are favored by **5.5 points**, with an **over/under** betting line of **228.5**. However, there’s a twist—Oklahoma City has struggled on the road, failing to cover the spread in their last **seven games** away from home. On the other hand, Indiana has exceeded expectations, going **8-3 against the spread** in their last 11 outings as underdogs. Currently, the Thunder are strong favorites at **-600** for the Finals, while the Pacers sit at **+400** in pursuit of the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
**Shai Gilgeous-Alexander**, the NBA MVP, stands as a formidable player with odds of **-475** to nab the Finals MVP after a commanding performance in Game 2, where he dropped **36.0 points per game** in the series, maintaining an impressive postseason average of **30.4 points**. In contrast, the Pacers’ rising star, **Tyrese Haliburton**, is not to be underestimated despite averaging just **18.4 points** per game this postseason. His four **game-winning shots** in clutch moments make him a compelling choice at **+700** for series MVP.
While large-market teams dominate headlines, the Pacers and Thunder have sparked interests among fans and bettors alike, thanks to the boom in sports betting. If you’re new to basketball betting or feeling a bit overwhelmed, don’t worry! This **betting guide** will unravel the basics, helping you enhance your experience while enjoying the Finals. You’ll also find excellent resources for the top sportsbooks and betting apps to navigate your wagers with ease. Explore more in the comprehensive NBA betting guide.
Basketball Betting Basics
Before diving headfirst into the NBA action, it’s wise to familiarize yourself with the **top sportsbooks**. Many offer enticing sign-up bonuses, including **deposit matches** and **no-sweat bets**.
Another = significant benefit of using multiple sportsbooks is the ability to shop around for the best odds. For example, if one platform lists the total for Thunder vs. Pacers at **230** and another at **232**, you’ll want to place your bet where the odds favor you the most.
**New users** should consider utilizing sports betting promotions for extra bonus bets. For instance, the **FanDuel promo code** offers **$200 in bonus bets** if your first $5 wager wins—talk about kickstarting your betting adventure!
When selecting a sportsbook, be sure to explore your options for various types of wagers. Most NBA pages will spotlight upcoming Finals games with +/- pricing displayed for each wager. **Plus-money prices** show potential profit on a $100 bet, while **minus-money prices** indicate how much you’d need to wager to profit $100.
Three main types of basketball bets you’ll encounter include:
- Spread: This is the margin the favorite must win by to cover. For instance, if the favorite is at **-5.5**, they must win by **6 points or more**. Conversely, the underdog at **+5.5** covers either by winning outright or losing by **5 or fewer points**.
- Total (over/under): This refers to the overall points scored. If the over/under is set at **227.5**, the under wins if the total is **227 or fewer points**, while the over takes the victory with **228 or more points**.
- Money line: This is a straightforward bet on which team will win the game, irrespective of the score or spread.
Expert Betting Advice
If you seek proven wisdom for betting on the Thunder vs. Pacers, turn to Larry Hartstein, Senior Editor at SportsLine, who leverages a robust network of Vegas sources combined with analytical savvy. He frequently appears on The Early Edge Podcast. Here are some gems from Larry’s betting insights:
1. **Oklahoma City**, despite their historical superiority, has struggled to cover on the road, with a **0-7 record against the spread** in playoffs. Yet the betting public remains big on them after their impressive Game 2 win.
2. Don’t let past performances dictate future expectations too heavily.
3. With Haliburton’s relatively quiet performance in Game 2, watch for him to retaliate with intensity in Game 3. Consider betting on him to score **Over 4.5 points** in the first quarter at **+124**.
Prop Betting Opportunities
To make your NBA wagering experience even more thrilling, explore **prop bets** related to players, teams, and the game itself. Player props may involve various statistical achievements, like scoring totals.
For instance, a prop may set a player’s total points at **26.5**, allowing bettors to wager on whether they score over or under that threshold. Combo player props include projections for points, rebounds, and assists combined, adding a layer of complexity and excitement.
Team prop bets can showcase a myriad of options, such as predicting which type of basket will be scored first or estimating a total points score. You might also bet on game-specific props like whether the game goes into overtime or which team scores 20 points first. Don’t miss out on promotions like the BetMGM promo code, offering up to **$1,500 in bonus bets**.
Parlay Picks for Game 3
Parlays are a favorite among many sports bettors, allowing combinations of multiple wagers that must all hit for you to cash in. For example, you can place three bets that need to win together for a total payout calculating at **+1074** odds.
With Finals excitement at an all-time high, **same-game parlays (SGP)** are now the name of the game, allowing you to combine different bets from the same matchup for even greater thrills.
Always remember that different sportsbooks have unique formulas for calculating SGP odds, making it essential to explore various sports betting apps.
Navigating Futures Betting
**Futures bets** provide a bird’s-eye view of the season with wagers often running through the postseason. Even as we’re deep into the Finals, you can still bet on who will take home the **2026 NBA Championship**!
Teams have future odds surrounding category markers like winning the championship, conference championships, or even win totals for the season. On the player side, anticipate futures for MVP awards or player averages. Notably, betting on the Finals MVP is still available, and current favorite **Gilgeous-Alexander** has seized attention, with every Finals MVP having emerged from the winning roster since Jerry West took home the inaugural award in **1969**.
How to Bet on the NBA Finals
As the Finals unfold, sportsbooks have updated odds for the upcoming NBA seasons. The odds will fluctuate throughout, so be sure to keep an eye on the changes.
Betting on the NBA Finals operates similarly to regular-season games but allows you to wager on individual series outcomes as well. You can bet on the Pacers to defeat the Knicks outright or predict the exact series outcome.
Live Betting Dynamics
Excitement spikes as live betting offers an opportunity to place bets during games. Odds will continuously shift based on the game’s dynamic—score, time remaining, and fouls play crucial roles in betting decisions.
Consider live betting your way into the action to gauge performance before placing a wager, especially if key injuries come into play.
Pro Tips for Betting the NBA Finals
The NBA embodies unpredictability, as shown by playoff outcomes involving lower-seeded teams rising to the occasion. Therefore, simply betting on favorites with the spread can be a risky strategy. Here are additional insights from SportsLine’s top NBA analyst, **Mike Barner**, with an impressive record of **231-167-2** on his last 400 picks.
Trends to consider: “It’s not always wise to overanalyze regular season matchups, as several teams may not have been at full strength during those games. Recent playoff performance and rotations should take precedence.
Newcomer tips: “Remember that bench and role players often shine brighter at home, bolstered by the crowd’s energy.”
Ideal bet types for major events like the Finals: “I lean towards prop bets for key players who carry the load. Starters typically dominate playtime in important matches, making them a better bet than lesser-known bench players.”
NBA Picks for Thunder vs. Pacers – Game 3
You’ve now grasped the ins and outs of NBA betting for the pivotal Pacers vs. Thunder duel. For top-tier picks, look no further than the **SportsLine advanced model**, which boasts an impressive **160-118 record** on premium NBA picks. Check out SportsLine for their best bets.
