The conclusion of the 2025 NBA Finals is nearly upon us as the sporting world gears up for Game 1 of a potential seven, with the illustrious Championship on the line.
This year, the finale pits the dominant force of Oklahoma City Thunder against plucky underdogs the Indiana Pacers in what should be a thrilling contest.
Last year, the Boston Celtics claimed their 18th Championship win as they thrashed the Dallas Mavericks 4-1 in games.
Will this series be closer, or will the Thunder cruise to victory? We will soon find out – and below is a full Game 1 preview from betFIRST, complete with the latest basketball odds and some betting online tips.
And if your bet on Game 1 between Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers is coming in with time still left in the match, our Cash Out feature allows you to collect potential winnings early.
Thunder vs Pacers Preview
The Paycom Center in Oklahoma will play host for the first two matches of this Championship series, which means the Thunder will be quietly confident of taking a 2-0 lead.
Aside from a close and epic contest against the Denver Nuggets, the Thunder pretty much cruised through the Western Conference Playoffs after one of the most dominant regular seasons in NBA history.
The side from Oklahoma claimed 68 wins and then finished off their Playoff campaign with a 4-1 demolition job on the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Spearheaded by reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, it is hard to look past the Thunder in the Championship series, but stranger things have happened in the NBA.
Furthermore, the Pacers will certainly not go down without a fight and they have been defying expectations from the start of pre-season right up until this point in time.
The Pacers claimed a modest 50 regular season wins, but really exploded into life in the Eastern Conference Playoffs, easily seeing off a fancied Cleveland Cavaliers side in the second round before a memorable victory over long-term rivals the New York Knicks in the final.
Write off the Pacers at your own peril!
Thunder vs Pacers Odds
*All odds are subject to change
But while everyone loves an underdog story, the Thunder are still hot favourites to claim a Game 1 win on home soil at 1.25. A Pacers victory is priced at 4.30.
Thunder vs Pacers Betting Tips
Thunder to hit over 120.5 points in the match @ 1.90
Thunder hit over 120.5 points in their last two home matches and they will be itching to make a big statement in Game 1.
Pacers to hit under 110.5 points in the match @ 1.86
The Pacers may struggle to deal with the elite standard of the Thunder’s defence. As such, the visiting side could find points scoring a tad difficult.
Over 230.5 points in the match @ 1.90
But regardless of the above, we still fancy this to be a fairly high-scoring contest overall.
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