Last Updated on June 10, 2025
After 25 years of drought, the 4th-seeded Indiana Pacers have finally made it to the NBA Finals after beating the New York Knicks in an epic Conference Finals showdown. On the other side, the Oklahoma City Thunder are also back in the Finals after 13 years—last time led by their iconic Big 3: Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Russell Westbrook.
If you look back at their history, the Pacers have never won an NBA title. Meanwhile, OKC only has one trophy to their name, and that was way back when they were still the Seattle SuperSonics.
If you’re into NBA betting Singapore, this is something you’ll want to know—it can help you spot where your bets have the best chance.
In this NBA 2025 Finals betting preview, you’re going to get a closer look at who’s more likely to take home the trophy this season. Will it be OKC, finally ending a 46-year championship drought? Or is this the year the Pacers finally get their first-ever ring? You’ll find the answer in the next few paragraphs.
Thunder’s Dominance: The Youngest Team and the Best in the League
The Oklahoma City Thunder have really been the talk of the 2024-25 NBA season. They ended up with the best record in the whole league, going an amazing 68-14. What’s really wild is how good they were at defense; their defensive rating of 106.6 was top-notch, and their net rating of 12.7 is one of the best we’ve seen in NBA history. That amazing defense comes thanks to players like Luguentz Dort and Jalen Williams, who are both All-Defensive picks.
And of course, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is leading the charge on offense as the MVP. Their knack for shutting down other teams while still scoring big makes them a seriously tough team to face in the Finals.
On offense, they’re just as impressive. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has consistently put up big numbers, hitting over 30 points in 11 of his last 14 playoff games. The team also has so many good players who can create scoring chances, helping them control the game’s speed and keep turnovers lower than any other team. This awesome mix of top-tier defense and a powerful offense really makes the Thunder look like the favorites to win their first NBA championship since moving to Oklahoma City.
Pacers’ Cinderella Story: Underdog Team Beating the Upper Hand
It’s been quite a ride for the Indiana Pacers this season, wouldn’t you say? They really turned things around after a rough start, going from a 10-15 record to becoming one of the most surprising teams in the playoffs. They’ve been on a roll, not losing two games in a row since way back in December.
You saw them upset the Bucks, Cavaliers, and Knicks, proving they can really step up as the underdog. With Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam leading the way, they play this super fast, energetic style that forces turnovers and gets them quick scores. They’ve also been amazing under pressure, winning 6 of their 8 road games in the playoffs. That’s a huge deal for their chances in the Finals. But, facing off against the Thunder’s tough defense? That’s going to be a true test to see if they can grab their first NBA title.
Betting Odds and Market Expectations: Thunder as Heavy Favorites
It looks like most people who bet on sports are pretty sure the Thunder are going to win the 2025 NBA Finals. If you check out the best basketball betting Singapore sites, they’ve got Oklahoma City’s odds to win the whole series at -750, while the Pacers are definitely considered the underdogs at +530. And it’s not just the team – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is also the top pick to be named the NBA Finals MVP, listed at -550. These numbers pretty much tell you that people are impressed with how well the Thunder played all season and in the playoffs, especially with their strong team and solid defense.
Even though the Thunder are clearly favored, the Pacers have earned a lot of respect this postseason as a tough opponent who can definitely pull off some wins. Experts acknowledge that Indiana is good at getting good shots and doesn’t turn the ball over much. So, while most people think the Thunder will win, you can still expect some really competitive moments in the series, especially when the games are in Indiana.
Expert Predictions: Sweep or Competitive Series?
When you hear what NBA experts are saying, most of them are really leaning towards the Thunder winning. Now, how many games it’ll take is where players have different ideas. For example, Andy Bailey from Bleacher Report is even bold enough to say the Thunder will sweep the series. He’s looking at how well Oklahoma City has played at home in the playoffs, winning 8 out of 9 games there, and usually by a huge difference of almost 28 points. He figures the Thunder will just take control right away, maybe even making it tough for the Pacers to even get into the game.
From what other experts at FTN and CBS Sports are saying, it’s a bit more of a mixed bag. They think the Pacers might snag a game or two when they’re playing at home. But overall, most people still believe the Thunder will win the championship in five to seven games. Why? Because the Thunder just have better players and a stronger defense. What really gives the Thunder the edge, according to these experts, is their ability to control the game’s speed and not make a lot of mistakes. That’s what they see stopping Indiana from pulling off a big upset.
Historical Context and What’s at Stake
This year’s NBA Finals is a big deal because it’s the first time two teams that didn’t spend a ton of money on player salaries have made it this far. It really shows how teams are trying to build up their rosters in new ways. For the Thunder, this is their first trip to the Finals since 2012, and they’re really hoping to grab their first championship since moving to Oklahoma City. Their only win before that was back in 1979 when they were the Seattle SuperSonics.
On the other side, the Pacers are back in the Finals for the first time since 2000, and they’re still chasing that NBA title. They did win an ABA championship way back in 1973, though. This series isn’t just about who takes home the trophy; it’s also about seeing which team-building approach comes out on top, and it could really shape what both franchises are known for down the road.
Summary
So, summing it up, the 2025 NBA Finals between the Thunder and the Pacers looks like it’s going to be a huge deal. You’ve got Oklahoma City trying to really prove they’re one of the best teams around, while Indiana is hoping to finish off an amazing underdog run. For anyone into basketball, or even those checking out an NBA betting site, there’s definitely a lot to look forward to in this series.
Frequently Asked Questions
How likely is the Thunder to win Game 1 by over 9.5 points?
The Thunder have been tough to beat when they play at home this season. Now, if they can win by a lot (like, more than 9.5 points), that really depends on how fast they play, how good their defense is, and if their shots are falling consistently. According to StatMuse, OKC actually had one of the biggest winning margins at home during the regular season. If they can avoid giving the ball away too much, and if Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren start strong, plus they stop the Pacers from scoring easily on fast breaks, then a win by ten points or more is definitely possible – but it’s not a sure thing, of course.
What factors could help the Pacers upset the odds in this series?
For Indiana to pull off an upset, it really comes down to a few things. They need to keep up their fast pace, shoot well from long range, and get great games from Tyrese Haliburton. You see, the Pacers were actually top of the league in points per game and scoring on fast breaks. So, if they can mess up OKC’s rhythm, win the fight for rebounds, and get the key Thunder players into foul trouble, they could totally turn things around for themselves—especially in those close games where winning depends on how well they play in the final moments.
Why do experts favor the Thunder despite the Pacers’ surprising run?
Most experts are really favoring the OKC Thunder in this series. It’s because their defense is just top-notch, they’ve got a really deep roster, and they play with a lot of discipline. If you look at the stats, like from Basketball Reference, the Thunder were actually one of the top five teams in the league for both scoring and stopping other teams during the regular season. Plus, they’ve shown they can really keep their cool when games get tight at the end. Even though the Pacers have had an amazing run, the Thunder’s consistent play, their young guys bringing tons of energy, and having the home court advantage just make them the safer bet, statistically speaking, for a seven-game series.