The Pacers and Thunder are up 1-0 against the Knicks and Timberwolves in their best-of-seven Conference Finals series, and their Game 1 victories couldn’t be any more different. Indiana made a furious rally late in the fourth period to force overtime and eventually get the road win earlier today. At the same time, Oklahoma City reminded us why they’re the best team in the NBA with their home whacking of Minnesota.
Indiana will aim to win their second consecutive road game on Friday, like what they did in their previous series against Cleveland. On the other hand, Oklahoma City don’t want to cede homecourt advantage to Minnesota come Game 2.
The pressure is on for the Knicks and Timberwolves, and, right now, their best-case scenario is to gain a split in Game 2 before changing venues for Games 3 and 4.
Learn more about Game 2 of the Conference Finals by reading today’s SBOTOP preview.
Minnesota Timberwolves @ Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder took Game 1 against the Timberwolves, as they kicked things up a notch on the defensive side of the floor. After a relatively slow start in the first half, the Thunder outscored the Timberwolves 70-40 after halftime. They also forced Minnesota to turn the ball over 19 times, converting them to 31 points.
Oklahoma City, who have allowed only 100.7 points per 100 possessions in 12 playoff games, did a terrific job of slowing down Anthony Edwards. The three-time NBA All-Star was reduced to 18 points on 5-for-13 shooting from the field, though he had nine rebounds and three assists. Edwards, who averaged 26.5 points per game in the playoffs before Game 1, said postgame he needs to assert himself more on the offensive end.
“I definitely got to shoot more. I took 13 (expletive) shots, but I’ll say probably just get off the ball a little more,” Edwards said. “Play without the ball. I think that would be the answer, because playing on the ball, they’re just going to double and sit in the gaps all day. So, I’ve got to go watch some film and take it apart and figure it out.”
Julius Randle continues to have a solid postseason. The former Most Improved Player of the Year winner was unconscious in the first half and ended up with 28 points, eight rebounds, and five three-pointers on 9-for-13 shooting from the field. No other Minnesota player had double-digit points.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 31 points, five rebounds, nine assists, and three steals on 10-for-27 shooting from the field and 11-for-14 from the free throw line. He just won his first MVP trophy and will aim to do more for Oklahoma City this series. Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, and Isaiah Hartenstein chipped in 19, 15, and 12 points.
Betting tip – Oklahoma City Thunder Asian Handicap -8.00 @ 2.04
Indiana Pacers @ New York Knicks
The Pacers looked down and out in Game 1, as the Knicks led by 14 points with 2:45 to play in the final period. However, Indiana remembered their “comeback kings” reputation and forced overtime, capped off by Tyrese Haliburton’s miraculous step-back two-point jumpshot at the end of regulation. Before this, teams who held such a lead were 994-0 in the play-by-play era (since 1997).
The Pacers won a game against the Bucks in the first round when they trailed by seven points with 40 seconds left in overtime. They also stole one from the Cavaliers when they were behind by seven points with 46 seconds left in regulation.
The two teams traded blows in overtime, but the Pacers claimed the lead for good when Andrew Nembhard converted the go-ahead layup via Haliburton’s dime with 26 seconds left. Obi Toppin’s late dunk off Nembhard’s assist added more insult to injury for New York.
Tyrese Haliburton, who had so many NBA 2025 highlights, finished the game with 31 points, four rebounds, 11 assists, and four three-pointers on 12-for-23 shooting from the field. Aaron Nesmith had 30 points and went 8-for-9 from three-point land. Pascal Siakam, Andrew Nembhard, Myles Turner, and TJ McConnell added 17, 15, 14, and 10 points.
Jalen Brunson posted 43 points (game-high) and five assists on 15-for-25 shooting from the field and 12-for-14 from the free throw line. Karl-Anthony Towns had 35 points, 12 rebounds, and four three-pointers on 11-for-18 shooting from the field and 9-for-11 from the free throw line. Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby recorded 16 points apiece in the losing effort. Despite dropping the ball in Game 1, the NBA 2025 odds favor the hosts to bounce back in Game 2.
Betting tip – New York Knicks Asian Handicap -4.50 @ 1.73
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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