The 2025 NBA Finals is a unique one. The Thunder have been heavy favorites all year, while the Pacers have overcome obstacles in every step of their journey.
Nonetheless, they meet in a best of seven series with glory and history on the line. A high-paced offense in Indiana will take on the league’s best defense in Oklahoma City. Two of the best point guards will match up as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander faces Tyrese Haliburton.
Both squads are deep with young and veteran talent looking to capture their first NBA championship. The Pacers have never won an NBA title, while the Thunder did so in 1979 as the SuperSonics. This year will change a lot for the winning franchise, which is why there’s so much pressure on each team.
As excitement for the NBA Finals grows, bettors can get in on the action via DraftKings Sportsbook. One of more interesting bets for the series is whether there will be a buzzer beater for either team. Let’s take a look at the odds and whether it’s worth tailing the bet.
Will there be a buzzer beater in the 2025 NBA Finals?
Indiana is working some magic — or just playing some really clutch basketball — this postseason. Not too long after Haliburton was named the league’s most overrated player by his peers, he’s gone on a tear in the playoffs.
No lead is safe against the Pacers as proven multiple times this year. The Pacers have clutch comebacks against the Bucks, Cavaliers and Knicks in these playoffs. Every single one of them includes a great play from Haliburton.
He had the game-winning layup in overtime against the Bucks in Game 5, a game-winning three in Game 2 against the Cavaliers and a game-tying three against the Knicks in Game 1. Haliburton lives for the big moments, and while he hasn’t gotten a game-winning buzzer beater, he’s come awfully close.
Haliburton’s foot was barely on the three-point line for his shot against the Knicks and his other two buckets were just seconds before the buzzer. There’s a real possibility that he can hit one in the NBA Finals.
This bet, however, isn’t just for Haliburton to hit a game-winning buzzer beater. It’s for every player on both teams. That said, Haliburton is the most likely candidate given his track record.
The Thunder are likely to win the series, but the Pacers have defied the odds and should keep games close. Oklahoma City is beatable and Indiana seems to find itself in tight fourth quarters every round.
For this bet to cash, a player needs to hit a game-winning field goal as time expires. The opposing team cannot have any time remaining on the clock. At +2000 odds, it’s a no-brainer to sprinkle.