NBA Finals Game 6 Forecast, Betting Lines, Preferred Selection for Thunder versus Pacers on Thursday, June 19th
Thunder Rival Pacers in Game 6 of NBA Finals: Predictions and Picks
Get ready for an exciting NBA Finals Game 6 as the Oklahoma City Thunder (3-2) tackle the Indiana Pacers (2-3). Tips off at 8:30 p.m. ET on Thursday at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana, and you can catch the action on ABC.
The Thunder, 6.5-point favorites (Thunder -6.5), have a spread set at 222 total points, while they're also -230 favorites to win outright. Indiana, on the other hand, is available at +190 to pull off an upset. Can the Pacers steal another win to push the series to Game 7? Can Haliburton power through his injury to take the glory? Or will Shai Gilgeous-Alexander secure the first MVP-Finals MVP combo since 2003? Let's delve into our predictions and picks for the highly-anticipated showdown.
Thunder vs. Pacers Picks for Game 6
My top pick for Game 6 is backing the Thunder to cover the spread, with the best odds at BetMGM. As always, scrutinize the lines and shop around using our live NBA odds page.
My Pick:
Thunder vs. Pacers Odds for June 19
| Thunder Odds || --- || Spread | Total | Moneyline || -6.5 (-105) | 222 (-110) / -110 | -230 |
| Pacers Odds || --- || Spread | Total | Moneyline || 6.5 (-115) | 222 (-110) / -110 | 190 |
BetMGM NBA odds here
- Thunder vs. Pacers spread: Thunder -6.5
- Thunder vs. Pacers over/under: 222 total points
- Thunder vs. Pacers moneyline: Thunder -230, Pacers +190
- Thunder vs. Pacers best bet:
Spread
Thunder vs. Pacers NBA Finals Game 6 Preview
After the electrifying start to the Finals with an epic first matchup, the series between the Pacers and Thunder might wrap up Thursday night.
Total
The Thunder are 6.5-point favorites in Game 6, with star player Tyrese Haliburton potentially battling a strained calf.
The movement on this game has been captivating. It opened Thunder -6, and the Pacers were promptly wagered upon, causing the line to move to -4.5 momentarily, before landing between -5 and -5.5.
Moneyline
However, news broke from Shams Charania that Haliburton sustained a calf strain, leaving his Game 6 status uncertain. This sent the line soaring to -7 before settling back to where it stands now at -6.5.
Bettors have been disagreeing over this number, with some standing at -5, while others have been on the -7 side post Haliburton's injury announcement.
Let's discuss Haliburton.
Despite the calf strain, I project Haliburton's influence on the spread to be 2.2 points, but I gauge this line to be Thunder -4.4 even without his full mobility.
-6.5-105
It remains unclear whether Haliburton will fully recover, but if he does, his impact on the game will be questionable at best.
Staying on the court in subpar condition could be more detrimental than sitting out entirely.
222-110 / -110
Surprisingly, the Pacers' performance suffers significantly without Haliburton in this series (drop of eight points per 100 possessions), though their defense deteriorates as well by four points.
The Pacers, though, lack viable replacements for Haliburton.
-230
T.J. McConnell excels in fast-break plays and chaotic situations, but against Oklahoma City's set defense he likely will struggle. Andrew Nembhard has been inconspicuous, and Bennedict Mathurin struggles without the ball in his hands.
The foul lines are in favor of the Thunder as well.
- Road favorites in Game 6 with an opportunity to close the series are a dominant 31-11 SU and 28-14 ATS. Since the first round they've had a 12-6 SU and 10-8 ATS record. In the conference finals and finals, they've boasted a 5-1 SU and ATS record (2-0 in the Finals).
- Oklahoma City is 1-8 ATS in playoff games on the road, but they managed to cover in Game 4 in Indiana.
- Without Haliburton, the Pacers have a 11-13 SU and 10-11-3 ATS record in the last two seasons.
Thunder vs. Pacers Betting Predictions for Game 6
Thunder -6.5 (-105)
If you're backing the Thunder, you're doing so with exceptional value, unless you believe Haliburton won't play at all.
The Pacers have continuously outperformed during these playoffs, making each game a nail-biter. However, this is the league's best team with a chance to clinch the championship, and Haliburton, if he does play, may not be 100%.
Thunder Team Total Over 114.5 (-110)
The Pacers' defense becoming weaker without Haliburton fuels optimism for the Thunder's offensive capabilities. In the last game, the Thunder finally seemed to crack the Pacers' defense, going on a scoring spree with quick transitions and forcing turnovers for points.
Indiana can't seem to contain Jalen Williams, and SGA is still dishing out 30 points with a higher-than-usual assist rate.
Spread
Finals Game 6s have gone 7-5 to the over since 2003.
After being inflated for much of the series, this game opened at 224 but then plummeted. Despite 93% of bets and money going on the over, there's room for the Thunder to beat their team total.
Total
Games against the undermanned Pacers could witness spectacular Thunder scoring runs to deliver a convincing victory.
Tyrese Haliburton Under 6.5 Assists (+100) / Under 21.5 Points + Assists (-120)
Moneyline
The fact that this number hasn't been reduced significantly or completely dismissed is astounding.
Haliburton might be nothing more than a decoy in Game 6, with limited mobility and potentially working at only 70%.
If he ends up being nothing more than a decoy on Thursday, the Thunder has an excellent shot at dominating against the Pacers.
Thunder vs. Pacers Game 6 Best Bets
6.5-115
- Thunder -6.5 (-105)
- Thunder Team Total Over 114.5 (-110)
- Tyrese Haliburton Under 6.5 Assists (+100) / Under 21.5 Points + Assists (-120)
Thunder vs. Pacers Betting Trends
222-110 / -110
- 59% of bets and 58% of the money are on the Pacers to cover the spread
- 56% of bets and 46% of the money on the moneyline are on the Thunder to win outright
- 94% of bets and 95% of the money are on the over
Betting trends via our live, updating NBA public betting & money percentages page.
190
1.Despite Haliburton's potential injury, the Thunder remains a 6.5-point favorite in Game 6 of the NBA Finals against the Pacers, as per the current odds.
- With the Pacers potentially lacking viable replacements for Haliburton, the Thunder's chances of covering the spread and securing a victory appear promising.
