NBA Finals 2024/25 Prediction, Finals, Game 5, Tuesday, June 17, 2025, 2:30 a.m.
Basketball fans with a penchant for betting should not miss out on this attractive sports betting bonus. Both sides are showing top-notch defense!
This defensive commitment and control over the tempo clearly point to a game with less than 230.5 points, which also makes for a promising NBA Finals prediction.
The upcoming game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers promises to be a tactical, intense duel in which we are unlikely to see many points. The NBA Finals odds already give us a hint.
Game 4 clearly showed that both teams’ strengths lie primarily in defense and that they play with a high level of concentration. Despite a relatively low three-point success rate, the Thunder won the game 111-104 thanks to a strong fourth quarter.
This last quarter in particular was a demonstration of how important team defense and mental strength are in close games – the Thunder stepped up a gear while the Pacers visibly faltered.
However, the Pacers have proven several times in this series that they are a tough and physical team that knows how to disrupt their opponents’ rhythm.
Their defense against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was particularly intense, which meant that although he scored, he expended a lot of energy and didn’t always find his best rhythm.
Shai scored 35 points in Game 4, but his efficiency suffered under the intense pressure of the Pacers’ defense. It is precisely this defensive toughness that will be crucial in the next game, which is why another low-scoring game is on the cards.
In addition, it is quite possible that the exhausted OKC superstar will not be back to full strength on Tuesday and will need a few extra days to recover.
A key to success will be discipline on defense – the Thunder, who already boasted the best defense in the regular season, will try to keep the Pacers’ offense in check.
The Pacers, on the other hand, need to make their offense more varied so as not to let the Thunder defense get too comfortable.
In the fourth quarter of Game 4, it was already apparent that the Pacers were struggling to generate important finishes, mainly due to the good defensive work of players such as Alex Caruso.
Caruso himself provided an important energy boost off the bench with 20 points and five steals, once again showing why he is a decisive factor in close games. He simply makes OKC better!
On the other hand, it should not be underestimated that the Pacers also have moments when they can suddenly score – especially through the efforts of Tyrese Haliburton, who has already proven several times in the series so far that he can decide games.
However, the Pacers have struggled to keep control of the ball and get their best players involved in crunch time in several games so far. I would therefore steer clear of betting on an IND win.
Indiana’s lack of assists and high turnover rate are far more reliable indicators that the game will once again be a slow and low-scoring affair.
For a successful NBA Finals prediction, it is advisable to bet on a close game with a narrow victory for the Thunder, who will once again look to capitalize on their home court advantage.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will once again be the main man responsible for scoring, but will he be able to prevail against this aggressive defense? Possibly not quite as much as in Game 4!
For their part, the Pacers will of course do everything they can to keep the Thunder away from the basket for as long as possible and keep the tempo low in order to open up chances for a narrow away win.
Ultimately, both teams will primarily try to win the game through intense defense and controlled attacks – a style of play that often leads to success in the playoffs and usually keeps the score low.
Personally, I would therefore only use the Bet365 app with the intention of placing a Thunder Pacers bet on the expected number of points – and this should be relatively low!
I think that the Pacers will score less than 109.5 points, which is currently priced at 1.60, is a worthwhile risk from the perspective of a profit-oriented sports betting fan.
Conclusion: In conclusion, a low-scoring game with a total score of less than 230.5 points is very likely.
The match will be a battle for every inch of the court, where every single possession counts.
The ability to keep calm in the decisive moments and avoid mistakes will be the deciding factor.
In this respect, this NBA Finals tip fits perfectly with the series, which has been characterized by intensity, fighting spirit, and defensive highlights so far.
For you as sports betting fans, that means betting on a close and tense game with a low score and another narrow victory for the Thunder.
My tip: Under 230.5 points
