For the second time since the Seattle Supersonics moved to Oklahoma City, the Thunder have advanced to the NBA Finals. OKC has been atop the Western Conference futures for most of the 2025 season, and fulfilled that promise by ousting the feisty Minnesota Timberwolves in five games.
The last time the Thunder made it to the finals was in 2012 when they lost in five games to the Miami Heat, who were then led by LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, and Chris Bosh. The 2012 Thunder roster included Michael Westbrook and Kevin Durant, two members of the old guard who failed to bring a title to Oklahoma despite their elite-level talent.
The new-look Thunder are built on years of savvy NBA Draft maneuvering. Over the past few seasons, they’ve assembled from the ground up and now feature arguably the most complete roster in the league.
Tonight at 8 p.m., the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks will play Game 5 in Madison Square Garden. The Pacers hold a 3-1 lead on the Knicks and could close out the series with a win on the road.
NBA Playoff betting sites are suggesting that New York will defend their house and extend the series to a sixth game.
Eastern Conference Finals – Game 5 Betting Line
Indiana Pacers at New York Knicks
- Spread: Pacers +4.0 (-110), Knicks -4.0 (-110)
- Moneyline: Pacers +140, Knicks -165
- Over: 223.0 (-110)
- Under: 223.0 (-110)
Ultimately, online NBA sportsbooks give Indiana the edge to reach the finals, as they are rated ahead of the Knicks in the current series prices and NBA futures.
Eastern Conference Finals Series Prices
- Indiana Pacers -700
- New York Knicks +500
2025 NBA Futures
- Oklahoma City Thunder -800
- Indiana Pacers +600
- New York Knicks +2500
The Pacers made it to the NBA Finals in 2000, losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in six games. This season, Indiana has knocked off the Milwaukee Bucks and the Cleveland Cavaliers, and is now one win away from moving on to their second NBA Finals in franchise history.
The Pacers are also 11-3 over this current postseason run, and will finish with a better playoff record than OKC, who finished 12-4, if they can wrap up the series tonight in New York.
The NBA Playoff picture had projected the defending champion Boston Celtics as the winners of the Eastern Conference as recently as May 12th. Once New York appeared to have the Celtics wrapped up, the Pacers surged ahead as the odds-leaders in the East.
Tune in for Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals tonight at 8 p.m. on TNT.
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