Game one of the NBA’s Eastern Conference Finals was one of the best postseason games of the 2025 playoffs.
Last night, the Indiana Pacers defeated the previously favored New York Knicks after overtime, but all the hype is surrounding the last-second buzzer beater that sent the game into overtime.
With time running out, Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton hit a last-second shot that could have won the game. Since his foot was on the line, it sent the game into overtime. In overtime, the Pacers turned up the heat and ended up stealing game one at Madison Square Garden 138 to 135.
After the Pacers stole game one, online sportsbook odds have flipped and now favor the Pacers to reach the NBA Finals.
NBA Future Odds
Before last night’s game, Knick fans felt good about the team’s chances to reach the Finals. Most online PH sports betting sites favored the Knicks to win the series; however, now the odds have flipped to favor the Pacers.
Below are the current NBA odds for the Eastern and Western Conferences.
Eastern Conference Winner
- Indiana Pacers -160
- New York Knicks +135
- Western Conference Winner
- Oklahoma City Thunder -650
- Minnesota Timberwolves +450
*odds via Bovada
Betting On The NBA Finals
When betting on the NBA playoffs, the pinnacle is always the NBA Finals. While the OKC Thunder are expected to advance in the West after a game one victory and the hot hand of the newly appointed NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the East is less clear-cut.
Overall, the Thunder is favored to win the 2025 NBA Finals; however, if the Pacers continue to shock the audience, odds could sway in their favor. Below are the odds of winning the 2025 NBA Finals from the popular online sportsbook Bovada.
NBA Champion
- Oklahoma City Thunder -250
- Indiana Pacers +550
- Minnesota Timberwolves +800
- New York Knicks +850
While betting on the NBA can often be unpredictable, future odds for the Pacers, Timberwolves, or Knicks will bring good value if locked in early. Personally, I like the Thunder and believe they are playing at an unstoppable level, but after last night’s game, I am slowly starting to like the Pacers, too.
If it comes down to the Pacers and the Thunder, the underdogs will be given a lot of attention, as they will have earned their right to be one of the elite NBA teams in 2025.
