NBA Finals Odds: Game 1

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NBA Finals Odds for Game 1

Thunder vs. Pacers Set for Historic Clash

For the first time in NBA history, the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers will face off in the Finals—two rising teams with hungry stars and everything to prove. Game 1 tips off this Thursday at 8:30 p.m. Excitement is building in Oklahoma City as the NBA Finals odds heat up, with bettors closely watching this fresh and unpredictable matchup

Two Young Teams, One Big Shot

The Thunder have had a magical season, winning 80 games combined between the regular season and playoffs. At just 25.33 years old on average, they’re the fourth-youngest team ever to reach the NBA Finals—and could become the second-youngest to win it all,  the championship. The last team this young to lift the trophy? The 1977 Portland Trail Blazers.

Indiana, meanwhile, is back in the NBA Finals for the first time in 25 years. The Pacers are still seeking their first NBA championship, although they did capture three ABA titles. If they pull off the victory, they’ll be the third former ABA team, following the Spurs and Nuggets, to win an NBA championship

The NBA 1st Half Lines look tight, but there is a clear favorite. This series will likely reach six games, culminating in a championship win for the Oklahoma Thunder.

Thunder Defense vs. Pacers Speed

Oklahoma City brings the league’s top-rated defense from both the regular season and playoffs. They also swept Indiana in the regular season, going 2-0 with an average margin of victory of 13.5 points per game

But don’t count the Pacers out. Indiana has been deadly in transition, outscoring opponents by 8.5 points per game—the best transition differential in the 2025 playoffs. Their speed and efficiency could be the key to breaking through and securing the championship. OKC’s strong defense.

Bettors are watching these contrasting styles closely, and it’s shifting how the NBA 2nd Half Lines are developing before Game 1.

Superstars Ready for the Spotlight

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been unstoppable in the Western Conference Finals, averaging impressive numbers of 30.8 points, 8.3 assists, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game. He also dropped 30+ points and 5+ assists in his last 10 games. Since 2016, no player has had a run like this heading into the Finals.

His MVP-level performance earned him both the regular season MVP and Western Conference Finals MVP honors. And now, he leads a team that hasn’t been to the Finals in 13 years, looking for its first-ever NBA title.

On the other side, Pascal Siakam was named Eastern Conference Finals MVP, putting up 24.8 points, 5 rebounds, and shooting 52.4% from the field. Tyrese Haliburton averaged 21 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists per game, while also making a significant impact with 2.5 steals per game

With these stars taking center stage, the NBA Finals Odds for MVP and game props are more competitive than ever.

Breaking the Mold

This year’s Finals continue a trend: since 2019, the NBA has seen a different champion each year. And once again, a new team will be crowned. If Indiana wins, it will be the first No. 4 seed from the East to win the title since the 1995 Houston Rockets.

With Oklahoma’s defense and Indiana’s pace, bettors are eyeing everything from total points to first-quarter spreads. The NBA 1st Half Lines are offering value on both sides, especially in Game 1, where momentum could swing the entire series.

Who’s Your Pick?

Whether you believe in OKC’s lockdown defense and rising stars, or Indiana’s fast-paced, let’s see tonight in Game 1. Here are the betting lines and odds.

NBA Finals Odds: Can Anyone Stop the Thunder?

The NBA Finals are here, and the NBA 2nd Half Lines make one thing clear: the Oklahoma City Thunder is the heavy favorite. The Thunder have been the best all-around team in the playoffs. With a young, talented roster and elite defense, they’ve taken down everyone in their path. So, the big question isn’t if they’ll win. It’s how many games it will take.

Pacers Need a Miracle

Let’s be honest: the Indiana Pacers can’t win this series unless the Thunder suffer significant injuries. The NBA Finals Odds reflect that they heavily favor OKC. Indiana is fast and dangerous on the break, but Oklahoma City’s size, defense, and depth make them too strong.

Still, don’t expect a clean sweep. The Thunder are great, but they’re also young. They’ve shown signs of letting up when they get comfortable.

Watch for Letdowns

In the first round, the Grizzlies jumped out to a 29-point lead in Game 3 when OKC was up 2-0. The Thunder came back to win, but it showed they can ease up. The same happened in the Western Conference Finals—Minnesota crushed them in Game 3 by 42 points after OKC took a 2-0 lead.

That’s why the smart bet, according to NBA Finals odds, might be Oklahoma City winning in 5 or 6 games, not 4.

Final Call: Thunder in 5 or 6