NBA Finals: Check ways to watch, betting odds, and other details
The stage is set for the NBA Finals, with the
Oklahoma City Thunder
taking on the
Indiana Pacers
.
The Pacers punched their ticket to the Finals with a Game 6 win over the New York Knicks on Saturday night, sealing the Eastern Conference title.
Oklahoma City holds the edge in their regular-season meetings, having swept both games against Indiana. Game 1 of the Finals tips off Thursday night in Oklahoma City.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Affordable Apartments for Rent in Lagos
Apartments for rent | Search Ads
Learn More
Undo
Recapping the OKC-Indiana series - Dec. 26: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scores 45 points and the Thunder erase an early double-digit deficit, pulling away in the second half to beat the Pacers 120-114. Andrew Nembhard scores 23 for Indiana, while Tyrese Haliburton is held to four points.
- March 29: Gilgeous-Alexander scores 33 and the Thunder win 132-111. Haliburton leads the Pacers with 18, and both teams have six players finish in double figures.
Live Events
SGA is the MVP A recof Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's winning of the NBA MVP award.
The story: Gilgeous-Alexander tops Jokic for MVP award
The reaction: SGA tears up when talking about his wife
Steve Nash speaks: Canada's 1st MVP thrilled to see SGA follow him
The notebook: Jokic finishes top-2 again, Giannis' streak ends, LeBron gets votes
What are betting odds?
Betting odds Oklahoma City (-700) is a big favorite to win the NBA title, according to BetMGM Sportsbook. Indiana's odds are set at +500.
The Thunder are an early 9.5-point favorite over Indiana for Game 1.
NBA Finals schedule
All games of the NBA Finals will be aired on ABC.
June 5 - Game 1, Indiana at Oklahoma City, 8:30 p.m. EDT
June 8 - Game 2, Indiana at Oklahoma City, 8 p.m. EDT
June 11 - Game 3, Oklahoma City at Indiana, 8:30 p.m. EDT
June 13 - Game 4, Oklahoma City at Indiana, 8:30 p.m. EDT
June 16 - Game 5, Indiana at Oklahoma City, if necessary, 8:30 p.m. EDT
June 19 - Game 6, Oklahoma City at Indiana, if necessary, 8:30 p.m. EDT
June 22 - Game 7, Indiana at Oklahoma City, if necessary, 8 p.m. EDT
Check upcoming dates
Key upcoming events June 25 - NBA draft, first round.
June 26 - NBA draft, second round.
Stats of the day - Indiana is the only team yet to face elimination in these playoffs.
- This is the second time a No. 1 seed (Oklahoma City) has met a No. 4 seed (Indiana) in the NBA Finals. Both previous times were Lakers-Celtics matchups, one in 2010 and the other in 1969. Both went seven games, both saw the Lakers as the No. 1 seed out of the Western Conference (or division, as they were called in 1969), the Celtics won in 1969 (Bill Russell's final game as a player and 11th championship) and the Lakers won in 2010 (Kobe Bryant's fifth and final title).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
12 minutes ago
- Time of India
Giannis Antetokounmpo gets unexpected advice from NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal as trade rumors swirl around Milwaukee Bucks star
A Tired of too many ads? go ad free now s trade rumors continue to swirl around Giannis Antetokounmpo following another early playoff exit for the Milwaukee Bucks, one of basketball's biggest voices has stepped in. NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal is offering the Greek superstar some sharp, unexpected advice as he is urging Antetokounmpo not to fall for the glitz of major-market franchises. With rumors linking Giannis to the Lakers and other contenders, O'Neal is reminding him that stardom doesn't require a zip code change. Shaquille O'Neal steps in with honest advice to Giannis Antetokounmpo during the uncertain NBA offseason Shaquille O'Neal joined the conversation on Good Word with Goodwill and pushed back against the idea that Giannis needs to leave Milwaukee for more fame or success. Drawing from his own experience and today's digital era, Shaq shared that brand-building no longer depends on geography. 'I would tell him they're probably throwing in his face bigger market, doesn't matter. Social media is the market now,' O'Neal said, referring to the increased visibility players gain online rather than just from major cities like Los Angeles or New York. Giannis, who has already built a global brand as the 'Greek Freak,' recently completed one of his best statistical seasons, but the Bucks fell short in the first round of the playoffs. With Damian Lillard expected to miss significant time next season, speculation about Giannis' future has intensified among fans and analysts. While franchises like the Lakers, Mavericks, Rockets, Spurs, and Raptors are reportedly eyeing the Bucks star, Shaq doesn't believe Giannis needs to chase a larger market to remain relevant or successful. 'Nobody cares what city you're in anymore. This ain't the 90s,' O'Neal bluntly stated, adding that players today can dominate headlines from any location thanks to their digital reach. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Shaq also pointed out that stars like Nikola Jokic in Denver and Luka Doncic in Dallas have thrived without moving to 'glamour markets.' The 2025 NBA Finals, featuring Indiana and Oklahoma City, both small-market franchises, further proved that winning and visibility aren't tied to coastal cities. Instead of leaving the franchise, Shaq suggests Giannis take control and influence Milwaukee's roster decisions. 'He should go upstairs and be like, I want to see all the free agents, I want all the phone numbers and I want to talk to them. He should bring people to help.' Also Read: It's hard to debate Shaq in his argument about Giannis. Certainly, he has been the face of the Bucks and a standout star in the league. Of course, fans of the big franchises would want to see him wearing a different jersey, but for now, only the rumor mill is circulating online with no certainty of Giannis in the Bucks.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
'Makes you dangerous' – Tyrese Haliburton earns high praise from OKC Thunder's Jalen Williams ahead of NBA Finals Game 1
Tyrese Haliburton. Image via: Ethan Miller/ Getty Images As the Oklahoma City Thunder prepare to host the Indiana Pacers in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, all eyes are on Tyrese Haliburton. The young Pacers star has emerged as one of the most influential players in this year's postseason. With both teams boasting deep rosters and youthful cores, Thunder forward Jalen Williams offered genuine admiration for Haliburton, explaining the Pacers guard's unique qualities that make him a real threat on the biggest stage. Jalen Williams applauds Tyrese Haliburton's confidence and leadership Tyrese Haliburton has been at the heart of the Indiana Pacers' historic playoff run. After leading Indiana to its first NBA Finals appearance in 25 years, he's now drawing attention from fellow competitors while being the center of discussion among fans and analysts. Jalen Williams, who has also been one of the star players in the Thunder's own rise, didn't hesitate when asked about what makes Haliburton special. 'What makes him very good is that he's very confident,' Williams said. 'To be able to play as well as he's been playing through a lot of the overrated stuff, and for him to be able to play through that, you've got to tip your hat to him for that. Just an extremely confident individual, and I think that, regardless of who you are, makes you dangerous.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Knee Pain After 50? Try This Before Reaching for Pills Read More Undo Haliburton proved his value during the Eastern Conference Finals against the Knicks, where he averaged 21 points, 10.3 assists, and 2.5 steals per game. His playmaking helped the Pacers overcome seasoned opponents, despite not winning the ECF MVP. He has been a major driving force behind Indiana's deep playoff push. Williams also pointed out the shared DNA between both squads, 'They are pretty close to us in regards to like how close they are as a team. Obviously, I'm not in their locker room, so I don't know. But outside looking in, they look like they have a lot of fun playing with each other, and their crowd is really into it, like their city loves them.' Both teams have grown from within, relying on player development rather than high-profile offseason trades. The Pacers made no significant roster changes, while the Thunder's only additions were Isaiah Hartenstein and Alex Caruso. Williams believes that chemistry and shared experience are the X-factors, 'When everybody's allowed to be themselves, I think you get the best growth from your team,' he said. 'We've all had the same approach… I think the Pacers probably have something to do with that as well.' Also Read: Vanessa Bryant finally breaks silence on wild pregnancy rumors with a wild response featuring a Rihanna meme Haliburton's performance throughout this season has also been commendable. The Pacers guard has made the Organization's dream come true and might as well win the Championship over the Thunder. Regardless, fans can expect a high-end, tough battle in the NBA finals.
Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Canes' Jesper Fast announces retirement from professional hockey
Eleven-year NHL veteran Jesper Fast announced his retirement from professional hockey earlier today. Fast, 33, played his final four seasons in Carolina and was a playoff hero for the Hurricanes in the spring of 2023. He sustained a neck injury in the final regular season game of the 2023-24 season vs. the Columbus Blue Jackets and did not compete in Carolina's recently-concluded campaign. Fast was one of several prominent veteran players who did not dress for any games during the season due to injury. Torey Krug , T.J. Oshie and Tucker Poolman were also on long-term injured reserve in 2024-25. Fast spent his first seven seasons in the NHL with the New York Rangers and earned their alternate captain sweater from 2017-20. "I never took for granted the privilege of playing in the best league in the world," said Fast. "I am grateful for all of the teammates, coaches, staff and fans from the Rangers and Hurricanes who made my time in the NHL so special, and for my family for everything they did to help me achieve and live my dream." The native of Nassjo, Sweden was an unheralded sixth-round draft pick by the Rangers in 2010 , but surpassed a vast majority of more celebrated members of that draft class, currently ranking 24th with 94 goals and 248 points in 703 career games. Fast debuted with the Rangers in October of the 2013-14 season, but did not record his first point until dishing out an assist in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals vs. Philadelphia. He scored 55 goals and added 92 assists for the Rangers from 2013-20 and came up clutch in the playoffs, tallying three goals in both the 2014-15 and 2016-17 post-season. Fast was a five-time recipient of the Rangers' Players' Player Award from 2015-2020. He signed with the Hurricanes as a free agent ahead of the 2020-21 season. Fast played in all 82 games that season and produced career highs in goals , points and plus/minus . Canes' players tabbed him as the winner of the Steve Chiasson Award for that season. The award honors "the player who best exemplifies determination and dedication while proving to be an inspiration to his teammates through his performance and approach to the game." In his final playoff appearances in 2023, Fast became just the fourth player in Carolina franchise history to produce multiple overtime winners in a single postseason. He scored in overtime in Game 2 of Carolina's first round series vs. the New York Islanders and found the net again in the series-clinching Game 5 of the Canes' second round victory over the New Jersey Devils. Field Level Media
