NBA Playoffs 2025 Preview: Big Names, Bold Moves, and a Battle for the Crown

NBA Playoffs 2025: Thunder Reach Finals, Pacers and Knicks Battle for the East

The 2025 NBA Playoffs are delivering high drama as the Oklahoma City Thunder have officially punched their ticket to the NBA Finals. With a dominant postseason run, the Thunder are now awaiting the winner of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks — a series that has turned into a tactical chess match.

Oklahoma City Thunder Storm into the Finals

After finishing the regular season with a league-best 68–14 record and an elite +12.8 net rating (second-best in NBA history), the Thunder entered the playoffs as clear favorites. They’ve lived up to the hype, going 12–4 through three rounds.

• First Round: Swept the Memphis Grizzlies 4–0

• Second Round: Defeated the defending champion Denver Nuggets in a tough 7-game series

• Conference Finals: Rolled past the Minnesota Timberwolves 4–1

MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has led the way, averaging 31.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 5.2 rebounds during the Western Conference Finals. For bettors, the Thunder have consistently covered spreads at home, where they hold an 8–1 playoff record with a staggering average margin of victory over 22 points.

From a parlay betting perspective, Oklahoma City has been a valuable anchor leg. For those using an odds comparison tool or shopping around for the best parlay odds, backing the Thunder has been one of the postseason’s most profitable strategies.

Pacers Lead the Knicks 3–2 in the East

In the Eastern Conference, the Indiana Pacers are up 3–2 over the New York Knicks after five intense games. Game 6 is scheduled for Saturday, May 31, in Indianapolis.

• Tyrese Haliburton has been the breakout star, recording a triple-double without a single turnover in Game 4.

• Jalen Brunson has been the Knicks’ lifeline, posting five straight 30+ point games and carrying New York’s offense.

New York is now trying to become just the 14th team in NBA history to come back from a 3–1 deficit. Game 6 odds are already drawing action across major sportsbooks, and using parlay odds comparison tools could unlock value for bettors combining the Knicks’ moneyline with totals or player props.

What’s Ahead: 2025 NBA Finals

The NBA Finals will begin Thursday, June 5. Oklahoma City will have home-court advantage regardless of their opponent, a key edge for those building Finals parlays.

Full NBA Finals Schedule:

• Game 1: June 5

• Game 2: June 7

• Game 3: June 10

• Game 4: June 12

• Game 5–7 (if needed): June 15, 18, 22

All games will air on ABC and stream on Fubo. Odds are already shifting depending on which Eastern team is projected to win, so it’s essential to use an odds comparison site to track line movements and optimize your parlay odds.

Betting Takeaway

The 2025 NBA Playoffs have offered exceptional betting opportunities — especially for those leveraging parlay strategies and comparing odds across sportsbooks. Whether you’re backing the Thunder to win it all or looking for a Game 6 Knicks-Pacers same game parlay, using tools like a parlay odds calculator and an odds comparison platform is crucial for maximizing your edge.