Image Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

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NBA Finals 2025: Haliburton’s Game-Winner Shifts Championship Odds, Pacers Victory Sparks Bettor Frenzy

Akash Vaishnav

Last updated: June 7, 2025

2 min read

Haliburton’s Heroics Flip Vegas Expectations

Image Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

The Indiana Pacers’ game 1 performance is that talk of the town in the NBA. Tyrese Haliburton’s game winner has turned the tide towards the Pacers who were not the favorites going into the NBA Finals. Both casual fans and experts questioned whether the Pacers could actually challenge the highly touted OKC Thunder on this stage.

Game 1 told a different story, despite forcing 19 first-half turnovers, the Thunder failed to capitalize, leaving crucial points on the table that ultimately cost them. Consistent mistakes proved to be too costly for the home side as they lost the game in the most heartbreaking way with a score of 110-111.

There have been 3 4th-quarter comebacks of 15+ points in the NBA Finals since 1971.

The last 2 were by Rick Carlisle-coached teams.

6/2/2011: Mavericks 95, Heat 93
6/5/2025: Pacers 111, Thunder 110 pic.twitter.com/RXdqpQzQmJ
— NBA (@NBA) June 6, 2025

Predictions around who’ll win the NBA Finals are shifting fast after Indiana’s upset in Game 1. More betting markets have started favoring the Indiana Pacers to take home the NBA Title this season. Though the majority still have OKC Thunder as it’s only game 1.

Indiana entered the Finals with +525 odds but, following the upset, their title chances jumped significantly to +260, a massive swing in momentum. While the OKC Thunder started the series with the odds at -750. In fact, 75 percent of the bettors waged money on Oklahoma City to win the game 1.

Pacers Have History in Favor

The Indiana Pacers now also have history in their favor as 71 percent of the NBA teams that won the first game of the finals went on to win the championship. The underdogs have changed the momentum which was in favor of the OKC Thunder.

With the win, Indiana has stolen OKC’s home-court edge and now sits in pole position heading into a crucial Game 2. If the Thunder lose that tie as well then it may remain almost impossible to get back into the NBA Finals 2025.

Meanwhile, the Pacers will be out for the blood knowing they return to their home court in Indianapolis next week. Should Indiana limit their turnovers and apply defensive pressure, the entire series could tip even further in their favor.

Indiana Pacers

NBA Finals

NBA Finals 2025

OKC Thunder

Akash Vaishnav

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I cover NBA at the Playoffs. I specialize in covering breaking news, Previews, in in-depth analysis (breaking down numbers, complex stats, nuances of the game, and converting them into reader-friendly content). Furthermore, I got into the sports media while looking for an entry into the media industry. I love International Relations, and since entry without majoring in the subject was difficult, I got into sports. Now, while majoring in International Relations on one side, I also like covering sports as part of the journey as a young Journalist.