Thunder vs. Pacers NBA Finals Game 2 betting odds and our prediction

Show Caption

Originally, it was going to be tough for Game 1 of the NBA Finals to upstage Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final, where the Oilers rallied from a two-goal deficit to beat the Panthers 4-3 in overtime on home ice in the Stanley Cup Final rematch.

And yet, the Thunder and Pacers found a way to do so.

Despite being down 15 points in the fourth quarter, the Pacers did it again, rallying for a miraculous, late-game come-from-behind 111-110 victory over the Thunder in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

Pacers’ star point guard Tyrese Haliburton hit the game-winning, go-ahead 21-foot pullup jump shot with 0.3 seconds remaining to steal the series opener in Oklahoma City on Thursday night.

Since they held on following the game-winning Haliburton shot, the Pacers became the first team in NBA Finals history to lead for less than a second in the entire game and still win.

Prior to the dramatic Game 1 victory, NBA teams were 0-182 when trailing by nine or more points in the final three minutes of an NBA Finals game since 1971. That record now stands at 1-182 after Haliburton’s heroics.

With a few days to recuperate, can the Thunder bounce back and tie the series, or will the Pacers continue this odds defying run and take a commanding 2-0 series lead heading back home for Games 3 and 4?

Here are the betting odds, and our breakdown on the spread, total and moneyline prediction for Game 2 between Thunders and Pacers in the NBA Finals:

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Sunday, June 8:

Thunder vs. Pacers spread: Thunder -10.5 (-115), Pacers +10.5 (-105)

Closing as a 10-point underdog, the Pacers pulled off the second biggest Game 1 upset in the NBA Finals since the merger, trailing only the Philadelphia Sixers (+11.5) in 2001 when they defeated the Los Angeles Lakers.

So what do the oddsmakers do after Game 1? Make the Thunder an even bigger favorite, currently 10.5-point home favorites on BetMGM and even 11-point favorites around other sportsbooks in New Jersey.

If it wasn’t for the late game collapse, the Thunder were on pace to cover the spread in Game 1 before the implosion where they were outscored by 10 points in the fourth quarter alone and 66-53 in the second half.

As we’ve learned all postseason long, Indiana’s never out of a game with this group regardless of the score. But consistently the best team in the NBA will bounce back here and win this one rather convincingly to shut down any rumors that Oklahoma City can’t handle the pressure.

Prediction: Thunder -10.5 (-115)

Thunder vs. Pacers total: Over 228.5 points (-105), Under 228.5 points (-115)

One side I was right about in Game 1 was under 230.5 points, which was relatively worry-free after only 102 points were scored in the first half and just 60 total in the fourth quarter.

Now with the line a few points lower, the juice is trending towards the under here at 228.5 points.

To me, this comes down to will we see the Thunder, one of the best shooting teams in the league during the regular season and 46% in these playoffs, struggle like that again and stay below the 40% percent line both from the field (39.8%) and three-point range (36.7%) in Game 2 and moving forward?

Given the talent and ability throughout the entire Oklahoma City roster, I highly doubt it and similar to the spread, expect a big bounce back opportunity coming on Sunday night.

I doubt it’ll be by much, but there will be 229 or more points scored in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.

Prediction: Over 228.5 points (-105)

Thunder vs. Pacers moneyline: Thunder -600 (Bet $600 to win $100), Pacers +425 (Bet $100 to win $425)

After all that happened in Game 1, the Thunder jumped from -450 to -600 on the moneyline while the Pacers shifted from +340 to +425 to win Game 2.

As it’s been shown all postseason long, you can never count out Haliburton and the Pacers. He’s the first player in the play-by-play era to record three game-winning shots with five or fewer seconds left in the game in a single postseason. So much for being overrated.

In fact, the Pacers are 5-3 straight up when trailing by 15 or more points at any time during a game in these playoffs, while no other team even has four wins in the last 20 years of playoff basketball.

Even with the stunning Game 1 win, history still doesn’t favor the Pacers, as the 2004 Detroit Pistons are the last underdog in the Finals to take the first game and still win the series.

The Pacers have proven they belong here and this series likely won’t go five games like myself and many other prognosticators predicted it would given their ability to deliver repeatedly in the clutch.

However, the Thunder will respond in a big way in Game 2, coming out on top with a 20-point victory to tie the NBA Finals at 1-1 with the series now moving to Indiana next Wednesday.

Prediction: Thunder 127, Pacers 107

What time is Thunder vs Pacers Game 2 today?

• Date: Sunday, June 8
• Time: 8 p.m.

The best-of-seven NBA Finals continues with Game 2 in Oklahoma City, with tip-off coming right after 8 p.m. on Sunday.

What channel is Thunder vs Pacers Game 2 today?

• TV: ABC
• Stream: Fubo

Watch Thunder vs Pacers NBA Finals Game 2 live on Fubo

Thunder, Pacers odds to win NBA Finals going into Game 2

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Sunday, June 8:

Thunder: -350 (Bet $350 to win $100)

Pacers: +275 (Bet $100 to win $275)

Who are the betting favorites to win Finals MVP ahead of Game 2?

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Sunday, June 8:

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder): -300

Tyrese Haliburton (Pacers): +340

Pascal Siakam (Pacers): 13/1 (+1300)

Jalen Williams (Thunder): 66/1 (+6600)

Chet Holmgren (Thunder), Myles Turner (Pacers) and Andrew Nembhard (Pacers): 150/1 (+15000)

Aaron Nesmith (Pacers): 200/1 (+20000)

Luguentz Dort (Thunder) and Obi Toppin (Pacers): 250/1 (+25000)

This post was originally published on this site