The Indiana Pacers put forth their best game of the 2025 NBA Finals, with a dominating win against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Oklahoma City did not play any of their starters in the fourth quarter because the game was such a blowout. That may have also hurt our best bets from game six. 

T.J. McConnell was everything we thought he would be. He played the most minutes off the bench, 24:07. He easily cleared the 10.5 point line at near even odds, and almost finished with a double double. His stat line was 12 points, 9 rebounds (as a 6’ 1” player), 6 assists, and 4 steals. He made 6 of 12 field goals, but we needed two more, and the sad part was he missed one lay up and two attempts less than five feet away from the basket. Such is basketball at times, but not earning the teased line forced this bet into a push. 

Aaron Nesmith made two quick three point field goals in the first half, then attempted only one more in the second half. As mentioned the Pacers were ahead, and the need for three point attempts was not there. Pascal Sikam recorded a block in his sixth straight NBA Finals match, but was unable to get the second block at +360. Due to that our goal of a profitable day was not achieved. 

 

 

 

NBA Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 6/22

The second best phrase in sports, game seven, will take place tonight. I have goosebumps just thinking about it, and despite the whining and fussing about “insignificant markets”, this has been an absolutely thrilling series. The NBA best bets today will be the last of the season. A bittersweet moment, and just like the great Lennox Lewis, we are going out as winners.

 

 

 

Pacers vs Thunder Prediction: Indiana Moneyline (+240 on Bet365) *BET OF THE NIGHT

The Thunder host the Pacers at the Paycom Center for game seven of the NBA Finals, mercy. It is truly anyone’s game, but the sportsbooks have it heavily favored for the home team. This is the 79th NBA Finals series, and 19 of those series have gone to game seven. Of those 19 only four have been won by the visiting team. Can Indiana become the fifth team to achieve this? Fantasy Alarm believes so. 

The Pacers appear to be on a magical playoff run that has danced with destiny to get to this point. They have won several games in which they were losing in the final minutes, seconds even. They forced a game seven with impressive play, their best play of the series and could build momentum on that. Also, all the pressure is on the Thunder who were heavily favored to win this series. So much so that the odds for them to sweep the series (win 4 - 0) were lower than for the Pacers to win.

The sportsbooks have it as a -7.5 favorite for the Thunder, and they have not lost back to back 2025 playoff games. None of that matters now though, this is the rare air (only twentieth game in NBA history) where the atmosphere of the NBA becomes more like the atmosphere of March Madness. An entire season’s work and preparation being crammed into 48 minutes, with a loser and a champion decided at its end.

Oklahoma looked terrible in game six, and the Pacers have six players averaging 10.4 points or more throughout the playoffs. Obi Toppin isn't one of them, yet he is the highest scoring player over their last three games. They can attack you from multiple positions, and multiple players unlike the Thunder who rely on isolation games from Shai Gilegous-Alexander and Jalen Williams who favor their left hand.

The media is skirting around Gilgeous-Alexander’s free throw attempts, but it is truly the most telling statistic in this prediction. The Thunder and Pacers have played a total of eight times this season. In five games Gilgeous-Alexander has attempted (and made) 10 or more free throws, and the Thunder are 5 - 0 in those games. However they have lost all three matches in which he has attempted less than 10 free throws.

The formula for the Pacers is simple: keep Williams and Gilgeous-Alexander from driving with their left hand, keep the latter away from the free throw line, and force turnovers. They do those three things they win this game big time, and if they do not they still have a great chance to keep this a close game. A situation they excel at, and in fact could be known as the greatest clutch time NBA champion team of all time. 

Put a unit on this NBA best bet at Bet365 and for those new to the sports betting app, make sure to take advantage of the promotional offer for $150 in bonus bets.
 

 

 

Pacers vs Thunder Prediction: T.J. McConnell Over 9.5 Points (-104 on FanDuel Sportsbook) 

The little engine that could is a story that could be told about T.J. McConnell. Despite being the shortest guy on the court, he has had a big impact on this series. The Pacers are not in this situation without him and he has set an NBA Finals record for most points, rebounds, assists, and steals from a bench player. The Pacers will need him tonight if they are going to hoist their first Larry O’Brien trophy.

He successfully covered this proposition in game six, and the expectation is for him to safely cover this prop once again in game seven. Tyrese Haliburton may not be as injured as we were led to believe, but he’s injured enough that McConnell’s minutes increased. That is the foundation of this bet, that McConnell will once again play 20+ minutes as he has in each of the past two games.

The guy is a flat out baller, with steals on inbound passes and offensive rebounds that lead to easier points. He has double digit points in four of the six games and eight or more in every game of the Finals. The only time the Thunder have been able to stop McConnell is when he is on the bench, and that fact isn’t going to change because it is game seven.

The intensity will be high tonight, and that should favor a scrappy McConnell that likes to work the midrange game. He will likely be playing against the second unit back court for the Thunder and continue to expose them. Put a unit on this best bet today, and expect him to cover the near even odds at FanDuel Sportsbook. For those that are new to the app, make sure to take advantage of Fantasy Alarm’s promotional offer for FREE bonus bets.
 

 

 

Best NBA Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 6/22

The last NBA best bet of the season is a parlay on a player we have ridden to numerous successful best bets. And he has an opportunity to become a Finals MVP.
 

 

 

Pacers vs Thunder SGP Prediction: Pascal Siakam 18+ Points, Over 7.5 Rebounds, 1+ Blocks (Boosted to +419 on DraftKings Sportsbook) 

Pascal Siakam is expected to move into the top 100 playoff point scorers of all-time, and is currently the third highest scoring African born player behind Hall of Fame legends Hakeem Olajuwon and Steve Nash. He is the reigning Eastern Conference MVP and could be the Finals MVP with a win. This would move him into the top 30 or to 40 all time conversation should he accomplish this.

This bet does not need him to win an MVP, but with this stat line it would be difficult to deny the Pacers leading point scorer in the NBA Finals. A same game parlay has been built on the former New Mexico State Aggie, and it is boosted at Draftkings Sportsbook.

The first fold is a teased down point total of 18+ points. Game sevens are usually low scoring, tough battles in which the referees allow the players “to play”. This drop of three points allows for that tough defense, but Siakam is a four level scorer. He can score at the rim, mid-range, three point line, and is great at drawing contact with quick, aggressive movements. He should continue his 19.8 points per game Finals average.

The second fold is on him to record over 7.5 rebounds, which should be no issue. Siakam soared above the Thunder for 13 rebounds in game six, and has earned over 7.5 in three of the six matches in the NBA Finals. With so much on the line, the 2019 champion knows he will need to leave it all on the floor to recapture the magical feeling of winning a city's first NBA championship.

The third fold is a return to our best bet in game six, and put on 1+ blocks. The odds on 1+ block were much better than then the offer for Over 0.5 and he has one or more blocks in every game of the 2025 NBA Finals. He has timed up some of the left hand attacks of Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams, while being stronger than Chet Holmgren. Look for it to come early in the game.

Siakam has recorded a Pacers leading 456 points in the 2025 playoffs, has earned 142 rebounds and 15 blocks. He won the 2019 NBA Championship on the road as the Toronto Raptors leading scorer, leading rebounder, and he played the most minutes on his way to a  double double in a closeout game six. A repeat performance is well within reach. 

This best bet boosted offer maxes out at $20 and returns $103.80. For those new to the sports betting application make sure to take advantage of Fantasy Alarm’s promotional offer for FREE bonus bets.
 

 

 

Get $150 in Bonus Bets Today At Bet365 Sportsbook When You Sign Up

Ready to jump into the action? New users can score a fantastic deal with Bet365 Sportsbook without even needing a Bet365 promo code. Sign up today, place a $5 wager, and instantly receive $150 in bonus bets—win or lose! It’s one of the best offers out there, giving you extra firepower to follow our NBA picks today.

Whether you’re fading or following our NBA best bets today, this promo reduces the risk and boosts your potential payout. Head to Bet365 now to claim your $150 in bonus bets and get in on the NBA excitement! With these NBA predictions and options in hand, you’re set for a profitable night.