As the excitement builds for the **2025 NBA Finals**, basketball enthusiasts are gearing up for an exhilarating showdown. This year, the **Indiana Pacers** will face off against the **Oklahoma City Thunder** in Game 1, scheduled for **Thursday at 8:30 p.m. ET** at the **Paycom Center** in Oklahoma City. The Thunder, boasting an astonishing **68 wins** during the regular season, secured the **top seed** in the Western Conference. Meanwhile, the Pacers surprised many as the **No. 4 seed** in the East, making it this far against all odds.
According to the latest **Pacers vs. Thunder odds**, Oklahoma City is favored by **9.5 points**, with an over/under set at **230 total points**. Interestingly, the total has gone Over in **seven of the last ten meetings** between these two teams. However, the Thunder’s recent record of **2-4 against the spread** in their last six home games against Indiana raises eyebrows.
The Stars Shine Bright
This matchup features a plethora of **young superstars**. The Thunder are spearheaded by **Shai Gilgeous-Alexander**, who recently captured his first NBA MVP award with impressive stats: **32.7 points**, **6.4 assists**, and **5.0 rebounds** per game. The Pacers counter with **Tyrese Haliburton**, known for his remarkable playoff performance, including three double-doubles and one triple-double against the New York Knicks.
With the **surge in sports betting**, fans nationwide can engage in the action, even if they’re not staunch supporters of the Pacers or Thunder. Numerous sportsbooks will offer a range of wagers, from player props involving stars like Gilgeous-Alexander and Haliburton to traditional bets such as against the spread and over/under.
If you’re a newcomer to the betting scene, don’t fret! This handy **betting guide** is designed to guide you through the basics of basketball wagering, enhancing your experience as you dive into the **2025 NBA Finals**. For more resources, check out our comprehensive **NBA betting guide** for the best sportsbooks and **betting apps available**.
Understanding Basketball Betting Basics
When stepping into the world of NBA betting, one of the first things to do is to scan the top **sportsbooks**. Many offer enticing sign-up bonuses, including deposit matches, “bet and get” promotions, and “no sweat bets.” Using multiple sportsbooks not only opens the door to these offers but also enables you to shop for the best lines and odds. For instance, if one sportsbook sets the total for the Thunder vs. Pacers game at **230**, another might list it at **232**. Always aim for the most advantageous numbers when placing your bets!
For new bettors, leveraging **sportsbook promos** can provide bonus bets to kickstart your journey into basketball betting. After selecting a sportsbook, check out various types of wagers featured prominently on NBA betting pages:
Types of Bets
- Spread: The margin the favored team must win by. If listed as **Favorite (-5.5)**, they must win by **6 or more points**. Conversely, the underdog, noted as **Underdog (+5.5)**, can cover by winning outright or losing by **5 points or fewer**.
- Total (Over/Under): This reflects the total points scored in the game. For instance, with an O/U of **227.5**, the Under wins if **227** or fewer points are scored, while the Over prevails with **228** or more.
- Moneyline: A straightforward bet on which team will win, regardless of the point spread.
Expert Insights for Thunder vs. Pacers
Looking for **betting advice** on the Thunder vs. Pacers clash? Explore insights from **Larry Hartstein**, SportsLine’s Senior Editor. With access to a broad network of Vegas insiders, Larry combines expertise with analytical acumen. Here are some pivotal tips from him:
- With so many betting options available for any NBA game, including the NBA Finals, resist the urge to bet on everything. Focus on a few angles you truly believe in; odds are finely tuned at this stage.
- If you want to keep the excitement alive throughout multiple games, consider a series bet. For example, betting on **OKC -2.5 games** gives you the chance to win if the Thunder clinch the series in just five games.
- Additionally, sportsbooks now offer prop bets on who will lead the Finals in scoring, assists, and more. This could be a fun avenue to explore with underdog players like the Pacers’ **Aaron Nesmith** or the Thunder’s **Lugentz Dort**.
Diving into Prop Betting
Prop bets add an exhilarating layer to NBA wagering. Popular options include statistic-based player props, where players must hit a scoring bar (e.g., **26.5 points**). Combo player props also exist, aggregating a player’s points, rebounds, and assists.
There are also team-based props, such as predicting which type of basket a team scores first or total points scored. Game props can bring even more variety: wager on whether the game will go to overtime or how many dunks occur in the first five minutes!
Exploring Parlay Picks
Parlays have gained traction among NBA bettors. By combining multiple wagers, bettors must win all to cash in. While challenging, the potential payout can be substantial. With the Finals underway, **same-game parlays (SGPs)** allow you to combine bets from this high-stakes game, enhancing your betting experience.
Understanding NBA Futures Betting
Futures betting is an exciting area to explore, with options covering season-long outcomes. These allow you to stake bets on future possibilities—who will claim next season’s championship, or which player might win MVP honors next year. As the **2025 NBA Finals** progress, don’t forget to check the odds on who wins the Finals MVP award!
How to Bet on the NBA Finals
Betting on the NBA Finals operates similarly to regular-season games. An exciting added dimension is the ability to wager on individual series outcomes, either by picking the winner outright or forecasting the exact series length.
Live Betting Excitement
Live betting allows fans to place wagers while the game unfolds, with ever-changing odds based on the game dynamics. This adds thrill, particularly if you want to gauge how a team responds to injury or performance shifts before placing your bets.
Pro Tips for Betting on the NBA Finals
The unpredictability of the NBA can lead to surprises, as evidenced by recent playoffs. Here are some sage pieces of advice from **Mike Barner**, SportsLine’s top NBA expert:
Game 1 Trends: “While regular season matchups can offer clues, playoff performance and rotations tell a much clearer story. When analyzing, focus on total team stats—like pace of play and defensive ratings—rather than historical matchups.”
Advice for New Bettors: “Home players often thrive in front of their crowd, boosting their performance compared to road games.”
Preferred Bets for Major Events: “Star player props are fantastic bets in Finals games. Given their high involvement and playing time, betting on starters can yield better results than risking bets on bench players.”
Final Thoughts: NBA Picks for Game 1
You now have a comprehensive understanding of the **basketball betting** landscape ahead of the thrilling Game 1 matchup between the Pacers and Thunder. For expert picks from Mike Barner, including a player prop for Gilgeous-Alexander, visit SportsLine.
Additionally, don’t miss insights from **Matt Severance** for predictions and analysis, encompassing both against-the-spread and Over/Under bets. Check out Severance’s expert picks as you prepare for this gripping NBA Finals showdown!
