The Indiana Pacers face off against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals this Thursday. The Pacers have just completed a six-game series win against New York in the Eastern Conference Finals, while the Thunder defeated Minnesota in five games from the Western Conference Finals. The Pacers, with a record of 50-32, are making their first Finals appearance since the 1999-2000 season, and they seek their first championship since winning the ABA title in 1973. In contrast, the Thunder boast a stellar record of 68-14 and have not secured an NBA championship since 1979, when they were the Seattle SuperSonics.

The game is set to kick off from Paycom Center in Oklahoma City at 8:30 p.m. ET. The Thunder have won both regular-season matchups and are favored by 9.5 points according to the latest odds from DraftKings Sportsbook, with an over/under of 231 points. Before placing any bets on Thunder vs. Pacers, check Matt Severance’s expert predictions from SportsLine, where he is currently on a 164-91 successful run in NBA picks, returning over 33 units.

Why the Thunder can cover

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the point guard for the Thunder, recently dominated against Minnesota, averaging 31.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 5.2 rebounds in five games. His explosive performance included 40 points in a Game 4 win.

Jalen Williams, a forward, has also emerged as a key component of the Thunder’s offensive strategy, contributing an average of 20.4 points and nearly 6 rebounds across 16 postseason starts.

Why the Pacers can cover

Pascal Siakam, the MVP of the Eastern Conference Finals, led the Pacers with 31 points in their Game 6 victory over the Knicks. He has been a consistent performer, averaging 21.1 points throughout the playoffs.

Tyrese Haliburton has also made a significant impact, recording three double-doubles and a triple-double in the postseason. His ability to score and create plays is a crucial factor for the Pacers.

How to make Pacers vs. Thunder picks

Severance has additional insights and a confident against-the-spread pick for this matchup. Stay tuned to see which team he advises you to support.