Wowza. That’s all we can say about Game 1 of this year’s NBA Finals. This game was utter madness, as the Oklahoma City Thunder had a MASSIVE lead heading into the fourth quarter, only to blow it at the last second to Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers.
The Pacers found a way to pull it off in the end, stunning the crowd and Thunder fans around the world. Will the Thunder even the series in Game 2? Or will the Pacers go up 2-0, getting out to a commanding lead that will be difficult for the Thunder to crawl back from?
We’re excited to see how it’ll all play out in this one, and like we’ve been doing for most games throughout the NBA playoffs, we’ve put our top player props together from Underdog, hoping to sweep the board for Game 2. Without further ado, let’s get into our best picks!
Tyrese Haliburton OVER 16.5 Points
Despite nailing the game-winning shot to make it a 1-0 series, Tyrese Haliburton was relatively quiet in Game 1. He only had 14 points, mainly because he went 2-7 from beyond the arc.
The Pacers won anyway, of course, but he’ll have to step up in this category if they want to ward off the Thunder for another game. Haliburton has put up some monster numbers in the playoffs thus far, and we’re expecting another Herculean effort out of him in this one. Look for the over to easily hit here, with Haliburton achieving at least 17 points.
Chet Holmgren OVER 24.5 Points, Rebounds & Assists
Chet Holmgren was quiet as a church mouse in Game 1. He only played 24 minutes, or half of the game, but he was a non-factor when he was on the court, logging just six points and six rebounds.
This was an atypical performance from Holmgren, who has been the best player on the Thunder throughout their playoff run, not named Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. We fully expect him to get back on track in Game 2, going over his PRA line and helping the team secure a win.
| Player | Prop | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | Over 29.5 Points | |
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | Under 29.5 Points |
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander UNDER 34.5 Points
Okay, the SGA hype might have officially gotten out of control. A line of 34.5 might be the highest we’ve seen in the playoffs for a point total, but it’s not like Shai doesn’t deserve it.
He was awesome in Game 1, scoring 38 points and nearly willing the Thunder to a win, but he can’t be expected to do this every night. Because we expect Holmgren to have a monster game, we’re fading SGA in this one. He could still have 30+ points and hit the under here, which is what we’re banking on.
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