Expert NBA Best Bets for Today’s Games
Written by: Varun Sharma
Last Update: Sun Jun 22, 2025, 6:09 pm ET
Read Time: 11 minutes
Welcome to our NBA best bets page. Here, you can find our top NBA expert picks throughout the 2024-25 season.
A lot's happened this season, starting from Game 1 of the Regular Season, to now the official start of NBA Finals. It's been a season full of heartbreak for 28 other fan bases, but nothing but excitement and anticipation from Thunder fans and Pacer fans alike.
The regular season was chalked full of big performances, critical games and huge surprises from all over the league. In the Western Conference we saw both the #2 seed and #3 seed upset in the first round. Out east, it was the Indiana Pacers setting the entire conference on fire.
The Pacers won their first round series with the Bucks without any major issues, but it was their second round win over the 68-win Cavaliers that sent shockwaves around the world. Indiana handled the Cavs in just 5-games, a trend that now seems to be catching on as they enter the finals. The Pacers have lost just 3-games through this entire run, just one game per series.
For Oklahoma City the journey was a tad bit easier. Being the #1 overall seed, they swept the Grizzlies in Round 1. Up next it was Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets. In what should have been the Western Conference Finals, the two teams battled it out for 7-games. The Thunder would handle business and make quick work of the Timberwolves in the Conf. Finals.
This is where you'll find our NBA experts and their best bets for the day. You'll find moneylines, spreads, over/unders, and NBA player props; maybe even a future or two.
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Game 1 – Recap
The 2025 NBA Finals tipped off on Thursday and Game 1 was one for the books. The Thunder came out of the gates hot, scoring 29 points in the opening quarter and went into the halftime with a 57-45 lead. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 38 points in his NBA Finals debut, shooting just under 50% from the field and and from beyond the arc.
For the Pacers it was Pascal Siakam that lead the team in scoring. Siakam's 19 points and 10 rebounds proved vital, with the 9th year PF shooting 47% from the field in his return to the NBA Finals. We can't forget about Obi Toppin, his 17-points in Game 1 were huge, but it seemed like every time the Thunder made a run, Toppin was right there with a big 3 to shift the momentum.
Lastly, let's talk about Tyrese Haliburton. His 14-points in Game 1 leaves something to be desired, but when you hit the game winner and finish with a near triple-double; we can let it slide. Haliburton finished with 6 assists and 10 rebounds to go along with his 14-points, securing yet another unlikely win.
Game 2 – Recap
After a huge victory in Game 1, the Pacers came out complacent in Game 2. Struggles started early with the Pacers only scoring 41 points in the 1H. Haliburton finished the game with 17 points and 6 assists, misleading to say the least. Haliburton had just 5 points going into the 4th quarter, with the Thunder already up 21-points.
For the Thunder, it was their MVP that lead the way. Shai finished the game with 34 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists; he shot 52% from the field and went 11/12 from the free throw line. Through his first two NBA Finals Games, Shai has shown poise, confidence and is now averaging 36 PPG through the first two games.
Tonight the Pacers will need more from their superstars. Haliburton needs to be better but so does Pascal Siakam. Siakam shot 27% from the field in Game 2 and if Haliburton really is banged up, they'll need a lot more from the former champ.
Game 3 – Recap
Somehow, someway; the Pacers up 2-1 in the NBA Finals. The Pacers are two wins away from an NBA Championship but two wins can still be a lot. The Thunder came out flat in Game 3, their struggles on the road continued with the team scoring just 107 points despite shooting 47% from the field and 46% from beyond the arc.
It was the Thunder's 17 turnovers that proved key. Indiana was able to turn those 17 turnovers into 21 points the other way and add to that the 13 2nd chance points they scored; it was a recipe for disaster for Oklahoma City. Indiana got some huge performances from some unlikely characters in Game 3; Mathurin finished with 27 points in just 22 minutes and TJ McConnell had 10/5/5 and 5 steals.
Both Siakam and Haliburton finished with a combined 43 points, 15 rebounds and 15 assists; Haliburton finishing 1 rebound shy of a triple-double. For Oklahoma City it was their MVP that struggled. Shai finished with just 24 points on 9/20 from the field and after back to back 30-point games, this felt a bit lacklustre.
Game 4 – Recap
This entire series has been one for the books and Game 4 was no different. The Pacers and Thunder battled from the jump with the two teams combining for 69 points in the opening frame. After the first, the defenses would settle in, neither team ever held a double-digit lead and each bucket was tougher than the last.
For the Thunder it was once again Jalen Williams stepping up early. The young star scored 12 points in the 1st quarter and went into the 4th as the team's leading scorer with 23 points. Shai wasn't far behind but was relatively quiet for the first three quarters, compared to what we've come to expect from the Canadian.
The MVP would finish with 35 points in the game, scoring 15 in the final quarter and going a perfect 8/8 from the free throw line. Shai had just two free throw attempts going into the 4th quarter and that's when Scott Foster stepped up to do what he does best, extend the series. The whistle didn't cost Indiana this game, but it didn't help.
Siakam led the Pacers with 20 points, but had a tough night from the field; shooting 40% on the night and 33% from beyond the arc. Haliburton wasn't far behind, he finished the game with 18 points and 7 assists, once again maybe not shooting as much as you'd like if you're a fan of the Pacers.
Game 5 – Recap
The Pacers went from up 2-1 in this series, staring down the barrel of a 3-1 lead with just one quarter to go; to down 3-2 and facing elimination on their home floor. Game Four will be remembered by Pacer fans everywhere as the one that slipped away and the one that cost them this series.
Haliburton's struggled in this series and much of that can be blamed on his health. Haliburton once again re-aggravated his lower leg injury and really hasn't looked the same since Game Three of this series. He's scored 20+ points just once in this series, shooting an abysmal 29% from beyond the arc.
On the other side, the Thunder's two young stars have been unstoppable. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jaylen Williams combined for 71 of the Thunder's 120 points in Game Five; with JDub recording his first 40-bomb in the NBA Finals. Contrast that with the fact Haliburton's and Siakam are averaging a combined 35 PPG this series and its easy to see why the Thunder are up 3-2 in this best of seven.
Indiana haven't had an answer for Williams in this series, he's averaging 25.8 PPG in this series and has now scored 26, 27 and 40 points in Oklahoma City's last three games. In that three game span, Williams is averaging 31 PPG, 6.3 RPG and 3.3 APG; he's shooting 51% from the field and 40% from beyond the arc.
Add that to the 30 PPG that Shai's averaged and you can see why the Pacers have had such a tough time keeping up with the young stars.
Game 6 – Recap
This series has been one of the best NBA Finals in recent memory. The Oklahoma City Thunder entered this series as a (-800) favorite and here we are, gearing up for Game Seven. Indiana's proven to be one of the most resilient teams of the modern era, they've been the underdog in 17 of their 23 games this postseason, yet sit one game away from hoisting the Larry O'Brien Trophy.
In Game Six we saw the Pacers come out with a fire we haven't seen since their Game Three win in Indiana. The Pacers defense stepped up in a huge way, holding the Thunder to just 91 points and forcing 21 total turnovers. Indiana turned those 21 turnovers in 19 points the other way, in addition to their 22 fast break points on the night.
Both Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jaylen Williams looked great in the first half, combining for 31 points but a costly eight turnovers. Chet finished with just four points, with all of his points coming in the first quarter.
For Indiana it was a team effort, obviously. Toppin lead the way with 20 points, Nembhard with 17 and 16 from Pascal. This Pacers team is the first team in NBA history to have eight players score 200 or more points in a single playoff run. It's been their team style of basketball that got them here and it'll be what they need if they hope to walk away with a win tonight.
With so much on the line tonight, look for both teams to come out fired up. The Thunder have been incredibly good on their home floor this year and the Pacers will need to do their best to keep a lid on this potent Oklahoma City offense.
What Are Today's Best Bets in the NBA?
Pascal Siakam o20.5 Points (+105 via BetOnline)
For the full breakdown on why I'm going back to Siakam tonight, click here.
For a full breakdown of Game 7, click here.
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Our weekly NBA best bets are accompanied by a mention of where the odds come from. However, any of the selections you will find here throughout the season can be made at most of the top online sportsbooks.
Due in part to the NBA's popularity both in the U.S. and globally, most sports betting sites offer a good variety of NBA betting options.
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The expert NBA picks on this page use odds from these sports betting sites, all of which we have reviewed in depth.
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- BetOnline Sportsbook Review
- BetWhale Sportsbook Review
- Bovada Sportsbook Review
- MyBookie Sportsbook Review
- Sportsbetting.ag Sportsbook Review
Our sportsbook reviews cover many of the features and traits that most sports bettors take into consideration when deciding where to place NBA bets and wager on other leagues, sports, and events.
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