Betting the NBA Finals: Bets that stand out for Game 2
The Indiana Pacers led Game 1 for only 0.3 seconds… the final 0.3 seconds of the game. What will the Oklahoma City Thunder do to respond in Game 2 at home? Does Tyrese Haliburton have any more game-changing shots left in him?
Both the Thunder and Pacers will have to make adjustments Sunday night at the Paycom Center for a crucial Game 2 before the series heads to Indianapolis. You can catch all of the action at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
Here are our analysts’ bets that stand out for the game.
Odds are as of publication time. For the most up-to-date odds, visit ESPN BET
Isaiah Hartenstein over 14.5 total points and rebounds (-125)
The Thunder got away from running twin tower lineups in their opening loss to Indiana. The rebounding disparity in Game 1 wasn’t very descriptive of the actual matchup in that the wave of Indiana turnovers and the subsequent shot disparity resulted in Indiana looking drastically better on the glass in the box score. My belief is Oklahoma City gets back to establishing an identity of size and length, especially given how well the ball moves on offense when the team’s tandem of bigs share the floor. As a player with a clear size advantage over the opposition, minutes alone can drive this outcome for Hartenstein.
Jalen Williams over 27.5 total points and rebounds (-125)
The market seems to be picking up on the trend Williams has established this postseason; stellar scoring outings in the wake of cold games. Even in just Year 3, the ability for Williams to shift from sidekick to star is impressively Pippen-like. With Williams struggling in the opener and the aforementioned rebounding gap proving influential, expect a downhill Williams on offense with free license to crash the offensive glass. Williams elevates to a power forward-like rebounding role whenever the team runs out lineups with just one of their top centers, another angle working in his favor as he seeks yet another bounce-back performance this postseason.
Myles Turner over 12.5 points (-125)
A theme has formed in these selections; a larger lineup from the Thunder could have specific statistical outcomes. One such outcome would be Turner needing to stay on the floor more. The Pacers love to lean on their unique depth and lineup looks, but if the Thunder really do go big more often, as I anticipate, Turner’s blend of rim protection and floor-stretching will prove pivotal for a Pacers team intent on countering Oklahoma City whenever possible.
Oklahoma City Thunder -7.5 in the first half (-120)
Projecting how a Pacers playoff game might end is proving difficult in 2025, but I do expect a strong opening response from a wounded favorite looking to reestablish the tone of the series. With the home crowd, the expected size adjustments, and the sheer dominance the team has expressed over a larger sample suggest an early wave of Thunder dominance could develop this evening.
play1:39Chet Holmgren breaks down Game 1 struggles
Chet Holmgren explains where he could’ve been better in Game 1 and how that can improve in Game 2.
Projections and Injury Reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds by ESPN BET
Players in italics are available in a majority of ESPN Leagues
Indiana Pacers at Oklahoma City Thunder
8 p.m. ET
Line: Pacers 10.5 (-110) | Thunder -10.5 (-110)
Money line: Pacers +400 | Thunder -520
Total: 228.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Thunder by 3.2, straight up 61%, 226.0 total points.
Injury Report:
Pacers: Jarace Walker, (OUT – Ankle); Isaiah Jackson, (OFS – Achilles)
Thunder: Nikola Topic, (OFS – Knee)
Source: espn.com