The 2025 NBA Finals are about to begin, and the discussion surrounding the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers thus far has often centered around having two small-market teams in the league’s marquee event. But perhaps that’s because one team was installed as a clear favorite as soon as the matchup became official, and the odds haven’t changed since then.
The NBA championship picks and predictions lean heavily in one direction when the Thunder face the Pacers in Game 1 on Thursday night, with a series that lasts only four or five games deemed the most likely Finals outcome by BetMGM. The 2025 Finals will feature the biggest underdog since the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2017 against the Golden State Warriors, according to Oddsshark.
Both the Thunder and Pacers have pulled off impressive postseason runs. Top-seeded Oklahoma City trounced the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference finals behind league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander after out-lasting Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets in Game 7 during the conference semifinals. The Pacers upset the top-seeded Cavaliers in the East semifinals and upended the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals with Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam emerging as playoff stars.
So who’s the favorite when the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers begin the 2025 NBA Finals? Here’s a breakdown of the odds, as well as series predictions, this year’s NBA Finals schedule and how to watch every game:
Who is favored in NBA Finals 2025?
The Oklahoma City Thunder are favored to win the 2025 NBA Finals over the Indiana Pacers, according to BetMGM.
NBA Finals 2025: Thunder vs. Pacers betting odds
NBA Finals Game 1 odds
The Oklahoma City Thunder are favorites to take a 1-0 lead over the Indiana Pacers in Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals, according to BetMGM (odds as of 10 a.m. ET on Wednesday, June 4):
Spread: Thunder (-9.5)
Moneyline: Thunder (-425); Pacers (+320)
Over/under: 230.5
Thunder vs. Pacers NBA Finals series odds
The Oklahoma City Thunder enter Game 1 as the favorite to win the 2025 NBA Finals over the Indiana Pacers, according to BetMGM (odds as of 10 a.m. ET on Wednesday, June 4).
Series winner: Thunder (-700); Pacers (+500)
NBA Finals 2025 predictions
Jeff Zillgitt: Thunder in five
Lorenzo Reyes: Thunder in six
Scooby Axson: Thunder in five
James H. Williams: Thunder in six
Jordan Mendoza: Thunder in six
Watch the NBA Finals with Fubo
NBA Finals 2025: Schedule, time, TV channel, live streaming
All times Eastern. *-if necessary
Game 1, June 5: Pacers at Thunder | ABC, Fubo | 8:30 p.m.
Game 2, June 8: Pacers at Thunder | ABC, Fubo | 8 p.m.
Game 3, June 11: Thunder at Pacers | ABC, Fubo | 8:30 p.m.
Game 4, June 13: Thunder at Pacers | ABC, Fubo | 8:30 p.m.
Game 5, June 16: Pacers at Thunder | ABC, Fubo | 8:30 p.m.*
Game 6, June 19: Thunder at Pacers | ABC, Fubo | 8:30 p.m.*
Game 7, June 22: Pacers at Thunder | ABC, Fubo | 8 p.m.*