NBA Playoffs Opening Betting Lines: Indiana Pacers versus Oklahoma City Thunder in 2025 Finals Matchup
The 2025 NBA Finals are shaking things up with an unforeseen matchup: Indiana Pacers versus the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Pacers pulled off a series of thrilling upsets, overpowering the Milwaukee Bucks, Cleveland Cavaliers, and their old nemesis, the New York Knicks to reach the Eastern Conference Finals. Meanwhile, the Thunder, boasting the league's best record of 68-14, took down the Western Conference with a quick win against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference finals [Enrichment: The Pacers, an underdog team, shocked the NBA world by reaching the Finals for the second time in their history. The Thunder, on the other hand, dominated the regular season and made their second Finals appearance as the Thunder, and the fourth overall franchise-wise].
The Thunder won twice against the Pacers during the regular season, with an average point difference of 13.5 per game. Despite the NBA's struggling TV ratings, this unprecedented competition might still attract interest, even for those who only tune in for the gambling scene [Enrichment: The prospect of a highly-anticipated, yet relatively unknown Finals series could potentially draw decent viewership and alleviate some concerns about ratings].
Upcoming schedule and essential details for the Finals:
| Game | Date | Time (ET) | Home Team | Away Team ||----------|-----------|-----------|-------------------|-------------------|| Game 1 | June 5 | 8:30 p.m. | Thunder | Pacers || Game 2 | June 8 | 8:00 p.m. | Thunder | Pacers || Game 3 | June 11 | TBD | Pacers | Thunder || Game 4 | June 13 | TBD | Pacers | Thunder || Game 5 | June 16 | TBD | Thunder | Pacers || Game 6 | June 19 | TBD | Pacers | Thunder || Game 7* | June 22 | TBD | Thunder | Pacers |
*if necessary
All games will be on ABC [Enrichment: The fascinating clash of these two teams will be broadcast on ABC, increasing its exposure and potential viewership].
Keep an eye on the dynamic contest between star players and formidable teams, with the Thunder relying on MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, All-NBA selections, and multiple All-Defensive team members, and the Pacers fueled by the energy of point guard Tyrese Haliburton [Enrichment: Looking closely at the key players of both teams, you'll find that team spirit and chemistry will play a significant role in the outcome of the games].
If you're into betting, check out the odds:
- Series Winner: Oklahoma City Thunder (-700), Indiana Pacers (+500)
- Series Spread: Oklahoma City Thunder -1.5 games (-275), Indiana Pacers +1.5 games (+220)
- Oklahoma City -2.5 (-130), Indiana +2.5 (+110)
- 2025 NBA Finals MVP:
- Thunder SG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (-600)
- Pacers PG Tyrese Haliburton (+700)
- Indy forward Pascal Siakam (+1600)
- Thunder SF Jalen Williams (+3000)
- OKC big Chet Holmgren (+7500)[Enrichment: When making your bets, pay close attention to the key players, their performance, and how they complement their teammates on the court].
Stay tuned for more updates as the 2025 NBA Finals unfold, and follow me on Twitter or our website for additional betting content [Enrichment: Keep up with the latest Finals news and betting odds by following me on Twitter and checking out our website's Bets Podcast].
In the upcoming 2025 NBA Finals, the Thunder, who have already defeated the Pacers twice during the regular season, will be facing the underdog Indiana Pacers for an exciting series. The odds for the series winner favor the Thunder at -700, while the Pacers are at +500. Individual player bets include Shai Gilgeous-Alexander from the Thunder as the favorite for the NBA Finals MVP at -600, and Tyrese Haliburton from the Pacers at +700. The series will be broadcast on ABC, with fans also having the opportunity to place bets on various aspects of the games, such as the series spread, team and player performance, and more.
