The NBA Conference Finals matchups are set: the Oklahoma City Thunder face the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference, while the New York Knicks take on the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference. After a semi-finals round that saw several top teams like Boston, Cleveland, Golden State, and Denver eliminated, what should bettors expect in these two upcoming series? Five NBA betting experts—Andre Snellings, Eric Moody, Eric Karabell, Jim McCormick, and Steve Alexander—provide their most favored bets for each series.
Western Conference Finals: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
Series Outcome Picks
Timberwolves +1.5 Games (+140) – Andre Snellings: Snellings feels this series is at least a toss-up, potentially even favoring the Timberwolves. Getting Minnesota with a 1.5 game handicap at plus money offers significant value. Both teams have been among the league`s best since March 1st (Timberwolves 25-6, Thunder 28-6) and have split their season series 2-2 in each of the last two seasons, indicating a very evenly matched contest. The handicap and plus odds make this a strong play.
Series Total Games Under 5.5 (+115) – Eric Karabell: Karabell recalls Minnesota`s swift defeat against Dallas last season in the playoffs. While the Thunder`s series against Denver was tougher, this is a different matchup. Oklahoma City possesses strong scoring ability and is expected to defend Anthony Edwards effectively. He suggests placing a bet on the Thunder winning this series quickly, similar to Dallas`s performance last year.
Exact Series Score: Thunder Lead 2-1 After 3 Games (+110) – Jim McCormick: McCormick highlights the favorable odds for the Thunder holding a 2-1 lead after the first three games. He points out that a 4-1 series favoring the Thunder was the expectation against Denver, which didn`t materialize. While not predicting an upset, he anticipates early series adjustments, making it likely the Timberwolves will secure a win in one of the initial three games.
Exact Series Total 5 Games (+220) – Steve Alexander: Alexander notes Minnesota`s relatively straightforward path through teams missing key players (Lakers and Warriors without Stephen Curry for much of the series). He expects the Thunder to demonstrate their full capabilities against Minnesota. While a sweep (+450) is a high-reward option, allowing the Timberwolves at least one win is a safer prediction. The first game should quickly indicate how favorable this matchup is for Minnesota.
OKC Thunder Win 4-2 (+425) – Eric Moody: Moody emphasizes the Thunder`s elite defense, anchored by Luguentz Dort and Alex Caruso, which will consistently challenge the Timberwolves` scorers. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is considered the best player in the series. Oklahoma City`s depth and the experience gained from a tough second-round battle with the Denver Nuggets give them an edge. Chet Holmgren`s rim protection and the team`s potential home-court boost are key X-factors. Moody predicts the Thunder winning in six games.
Player Prop Bets
Julius Randle Most Total Points in Series (+1800) – Steve Alexander: Randle has been performing exceptionally well, scoring 29 and 31 points in his last two playoff games and hitting at least 24 points in his last four. Alexander suggests the Thunder might prioritize stopping Anthony Edwards, potentially allowing Randle more scoring opportunities. If this happens, the +1800 payoff is highly enticing, especially given Randle`s recent hot streak.
250 or More Total Points in Any Game (+300) – Jim McCormick: McCormick finds betting on high-scoring games enjoyable, although betting the under often proves more profitable. However, he believes at least one game in this series will turn into a high-paced offensive display. An overtime game or one featuring aggressive, wide-open transition play could easily push the total score past 250. While it`s a long shot, the 3-to-1 odds make it an appealing fun bet.
Chet Holmgren Most Total Rebounds in Series (+275) – Andre Snellings: Snellings points to Holmgren`s dominance on the boards against the Denver Nuggets. The dynamic saw Isaiah Hartenstein battling Denver`s primary big man (Nikola Jokic) while Holmgren focused on rebounding against the shorter power forward (Aaron Gordon). Snellings anticipates a similar situation against Minnesota (Hartenstein vs. Rudy Gobert, Holmgren vs. Julius Randle). Holmgren averaged 11.7 rebounds per game over the last six games against Denver, and maintaining a similar pace against the Timberwolves gives him a strong chance to win this prop with solid plus money.
Eastern Conference Finals: New York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers
Series Outcome Picks
Pacers +1.5 Games (-175) – Andre Snellings: Snellings considers the Pacers the best team in the Eastern Conference during the playoffs so far, boasting an 8-2 record against tough opponents like the Cavaliers and Bucks. He notes they have played excellent basketball for much longer, finishing the calendar year 2025 with a 34-14 record. Their effective style relies on shooters and defenders capable of excelling in both fast-paced and half-court scenarios. Although the Knicks won two out of three regular-season games and are playing well, Snellings views the Pacers as at least co-favorites and a strong value bet with the 1.5 game handicap.
Exact Series Total 7 Games (+175) – Steve Alexander: Alexander highlights this matchup as a classic rivalry with a balanced playoff history. He anticipates this series becoming a memorable battle that will extend to seven games, which many fans hope to see. While the Knicks have the home-court advantage, the Pacers have historically shown they are not intimidated by playing at Madison Square Garden.
Knicks Win Series 4-3 (+350) – Eric Moody: Moody favors the Knicks due to their superior physicality, rebounding, and playoff experience. With Mitchell Robinson healthy and effective on the boards, New York can control possessions and generate numerous second-chance opportunities. Jalen Brunson is regarded as the series` best player, and versatile defenders like Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby are capable of disrupting the Pacers` key players. Despite Indiana`s depth, New York`s combination of offensive talent and defensive prowess gives them the edge. Moody predicts a gritty, seven-game victory for the Knicks.
Exact Series Total 7 Games (+175) – Jim McCormick: McCormick points out that the shortest odds for the exact series length is seven games, indicating significant uncertainty among oddsmakers and bettors alike. He evokes the intense Pacers-Knicks rivalry from the mid-to-late 1990s, hoping this series can replicate even a fraction of those unforgettable moments. The contrasting styles—the Pacers preferring a high-speed game versus the Knicks favoring a slower, grinding pace—have the potential to make this series exceptionally compelling and long.
Player Prop Bets
Jalen Brunson to Score 40+ Points in Any Game (-110) – Eric Karabell: Karabell expects Jalen Brunson to carry a heavy scoring burden for the Knicks, similar to his performance in earlier rounds. Averaging over 30 points per game in this series seems highly likely. Betting on him reaching the 40-point mark in at least one game is considered a straightforward prediction given his role and scoring ability.
Josh Hart to Record the Most Total Rebounds in Series (+700) – Steve Alexander: Alexander views Josh Hart as the best rebounding guard in the league and the most appealing bet for total rebounds after Karl-Anthony Towns (whose odds are less favorable). Hart averaged 8.7 rebounds against Detroit and 8.3 against Boston in earlier playoff rounds. Alexander believes Hart has a “slugger`s chance” to out-rebound Towns over the course of the series for the Knicks.
Jalen Brunson to Score 50+ Points in Any Game (+725) – Jim McCormick: McCormick highlights Brunson`s impressive scoring history, including 18 career games with at least 40 points and three games with 50 or more, all while playing for the Knicks. The pace of the series is crucial here; while the Knicks prefer a slow, half-court game, the Pacers aim for a fast-paced sprint. McCormick suggests that if the Pacers dictate the pace in one game, Brunson could achieve “absurd heights” in scoring that are, for him, not entirely out of reach. The +725 odds offer a high reward for this possibility.
Karl-Anthony Towns to Score the Most Total Points in Series (+600) – Andre Snellings: Snellings points to Karl-Anthony Towns` strong performance against the Pacers during the regular season. In their three matchups, Towns averaged 30.3 points per game, scoring at least 21 in each and hitting a season-high of 40 points in one game. While Jalen Brunson is the rightful favorite to lead the series in scoring, Towns has a legitimate opportunity and much more appealing odds at 6-to-1, especially considering his success against this specific opponent.
