Everything was going well for Fantasy Alarm NBA Best Bets, then it collapsed in the last 100 seconds of the game. Bennedict Mathurin entered the game with 7 points and earned four free throw attempts. However he only made one, and the double unit player proposition fell short due to it. 

To make matters worse, and in an act of throwing salt on the wound, Mathurin fouled Shai Gilgeous-Alexander not once, but twice on inbound passses. Those fouls result in unmanned free throw attempts, and Gilgeous-Alexander made both of them. That pushed the spread to seven points, one above the given line. Jalen Williams had another great performance and scored over 21.5 points in back to back games.

Truth be told the Indiana Pacers lost that game as they were ahead deep into the fourth quarter. Pascal Siakam did not touch the ball or attempt a field goal when it was needed most, and Haliburton looked tired. The reigning MVP seemed unstoppable as he led the Oklahoma City Thunder back from behind to even the series.

 

 

 

NBA Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 6/16

Today’s game five will have everyone’s full attention as one team will be one win away from winning their franchise’s first Larry O’Brien Trophy. The NBA best bets today look at getting back on the winning track.

 

 

 

Pacers vs Thunder Prediction: Over 223.5 Points (-110 on Bet365) *BET OF THE NIGHT 

The Oklahoma City Thunder host the Indiana Pacers at the Paycom Center for game five of the NBA Finals. Despite many believing this series would only go four to five games in favor of the Thunder, it is guaranteed to be at least six games, and the Thunder have not led the series once. Could that change tonight?

The Oklahoma City Thunder are -9.5 favorites and could cover the spread once again. There is great value on the moneyline for Indiana with +325 on Bet365. However the best straight bet is on the total, which is set at 224. Both of these teams have shown the ability to have high scoring offenses that continue late into the fourth quarter.

Only one game has gone over the total of 223.5 points in the NBA Finals, and that was game two at the Paycom Center. The Thunder scored 123 points in that match, and with a clear advantage given to the winner of this match, the expectation is for both teams to put forth great offensive effort. If the Pacers did not have the collapse that resulted in 17 fourth quarter points the total of game four would have likely gone over as well.

It has been a thrilling and exciting NBA Finals, and the Pacers have shown dramatic finishes, so take the wise money on the total. Remember to place this best bet of over 223.5 points at Bet365 and for those new to the app, make sure to take advantage of a $150 offer from Fantasy Alarm.
 

 

 

Pacers vs Thunder Prediction: Tyrese Haliburton Over 16.5 Points (-125 on DraftKings Sportsbook) 

Tyrese Haliburton has been the most exciting player of the 2025 NBA playoffs, and he has done it in impressive fashion. He will forever be remembered for his late, game-winning, field goals. Most specifically the Eastern Conference Game 1 field goal against the New York Knicks. His ability to find open players with great vision, movement with the basketball, and ability to score without a dependence on the free throw line make him the more entertaining point guard of the two remaining.

The most impressive part of that, is he’s nowhere near the total point scorer that Gilgeous-Alexander is. That is why his point line is set at 16.5 which is less than half compared to Gilgeous-Alexander’s 34.5. Haliburton has gone over 16.5 points in each of the Pacers’ last two games, and he must get to the crucial number of 20.

Stats do not lie, and although some can be manipulated to tell a story, some ring as true as a silver bell. The Pacers went 14 - 1 in the regular season when Haliburton put up a stat line of 20+ points and 10+ assists. He has accomplished those numbers in six 2025 playoff games, and the Pacers have won all six of those games.

In fact, the Pacers have won all eight playoff games in which Tyrese Haliburton has scored 21 or more points. This could be the first game he scores 21 and they lose, but the great part about this best bet is he only needs to score 17. He must be aggressive at some point in this game, either before or after setting up the passing game. 

Put a unit on this best bet at DraftKings Sportsbook, and for those that are new to betting, download the sports betting app and utilize Fantasy Alarm’s promotional code for FREE bonus bets.
 

 

 

Best NBA Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 6/16

The last NBA best bet today focuses on a player who looks much improved over the last two games.


Pacers vs Thunder Prediction: Chet Holmgren To Record a Double-Double (+130 on FanDuel Sportsbook) 

Chet Holmgren has been a catalyst for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Although Gilgeous-Alexander received much of the praise for game four, Holmgren had a fantastic game. He played the most minutes of the NBA Finals (37) and recorded his highest amount of rebounds (15). In stretches he was an unstoppable force for the Thunder, and his scoring caused Indiana to call timeouts to stop the momentum.

Holmgren has recorded a double double in the last two games, and has played 34 or more minutes in each of them. In the first two games of the Finals he played 28 minutes or less and managed just 6 rebounds in each. With the Thunder returning to a rotation that was set through the first three rounds of the playoffs, his numbers have improved. 

Myles Turner is not playing his best basketball from a rebounding perspective, and Holmgren is benefitting. At 7’ 1” Holmgren is able to use his length to get defensive position, and has used IQ and acceleration to earn offensive rebounds, including four in the last game. With Isaiah Hartenstein in the starting lineup, Holmgren gets help from another tall, big body. Hartenstein will block opponents away in order to help Holmgren get clear access to a rebound, something Cason Wallace was unable to do.

Holmgren’s rebounding line is set at 8.5, with heavy juice on the over. His 10+ rebounding line is set at +105, and he has scored over 10 points in eleven of his last twelve playoff matches. Instead of taking the +105 line, bet smart and put it on the +130 line of his double double. Place this best bet on FanDuel Sportsbook and make sure to utilize Fantasy Alarm’s promotional offer for FREE bonus bets.
 

 

 

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