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The Indiana Pacers are up against it tonight, with Game 6 being a win-or-go-home situation. With Tyrese Haliburton dealing with a calf issue, the odds will be against them, but they have overcome them more than enough times during this playoff run and they should’t be written off here, especially with their home crowd behind them. This matchup gets started tonight at 8:30 pm ET on ABC, and I’ve picked out my Thunder vs Pacers first basket best bet to try to secure a quick win. Let’s dive in, while you can also find out our expert NBA picks for this matchup.
Read our full Thunder vs Pacers Game 6 prediction for tonight’s matchup, as well as our expert’s Thunder vs Pacers Same Game Parlay picks
Thunder vs Pacers first basket best bet: Chet Holmgren (+500)
Odds available at bet365 at time of publishing
For the first time in 5 games, Myles Turner was able to win the opening tip between him and Chet Holmgren in the last meeting between the sides. Considering how dominant the young Thunder star has been at gaining the opening possession for his team against the Pacers, doing so in 5 of 7 games this season, Holmgren should reestablish his dominance here. The Thunder have had early success scoring against the Pacers in games, having made the first basket in each of the 5 games in the 2025 NBA Finals so far. One of their players should be favorites to open the scoring again tonight.
In Game 5, the Thunder attacked the paint early, with their first 3 field goals coming from this area, while Shai-Gilgeous Alexander also got to the free-throw line. That should make one of their bigs favorites to open the scoring. Isaiah Hartenstein is the more established passer between him and Holmgren. He has also consistently thrown lobs for Holmgren when in the high post during these playoffs. Holmgren has the better scoring numbers of the 2 bigs and also leads his team in first-field-goal attempts, doing it in 17.3% of the games he plays. He looks the best-value selection for our Thunder vs Pacers first basket best bet.
Find out ThatGuyBets’ best Thunder vs Pacers player prop bet for Game 6 — he has a 14-3 record this season!
