Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Game 1 Odds, Time, and Prediction

Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Game 1 is played on Thursday and judging by the NBA odds, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander & Co. will destroy the visitors from Indiana. But the Packers were huge underdogs in many games this season already – and they managed to get all the way to the Finals.

Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Game 1 Odds

70 players claimed the offer this month

50% up to $1000

bet now

When, Where, and How to Watch?

• Place: Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma      
• Date: Thursday, June 5, 2025
• Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
• How to Watch: ESPN

Indiana Pacers Mustn’t Be Underestimated

The Pacers finished the regular season in 4^th place in the Eastern Conference, with a 50-32 record. Not too bad, but at that point, not many NBA fans thought these guys would go far in the postseason.

This was especially because their first opponent in the playoffs was Milwaukee. Led by the incredible Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks were expected to destroy the Pacers, but just the opposite happened – they won the series 4-1.

They then did the same against the No. 1 seed in the East – the Cleveland Cavaliers. Finally, in the Eastern Conference Finals, they beat the New York Knicks 4-2.

Tyrese Haliburton has been instrumental in their success, averaging 21 points and 10.5 assists in the series with the Knicks. Pascal Siakam has also been incredible since the start of the postseason, but the fact is that these guys are nowhere near the level of Oklahoma’s biggest star, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Oklahoma’s MVP Looking Unstoppable

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the best player in the NBA at the moment, the evidence being that he was recently crowned the MVP. His form seems to be improving all the time – we saw him score 30+ points in seven of his last eight games.

The Canadian player put away a total of 74 points in the previous two games, which is particularly impressive, knowing that OKC played against Minnesota, one of the best defenses in the league.

But it’s not just about Shai – practically all of Thunder’s players have been in great form this season. They’ve been incredible defensively, leading the NBA in defensive rating during the regular season and allowing under 100 points in six of the 16 games of the 2025 NBA Playoffs.

Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Game 1 Prediction

Game 1 will be played at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, where the Thunder have been fantastic. They went 36-6 at home in the regular season and won eight of the nine playoff games played in Oklahoma this season. Knowing this, it’s only logical to assume they’re going to win again, clearing the spread along the way.

Pick: Oklahoma City Thunder -9.5