2025 NBA Conference Finals tips & betting predictions

The 2024/25 NBA Playoffs reach the business end this week with the Conference Finals tipping off in both the East and West.

In the Eastern Conference Finals, the Indiana Pacers continue their fairytale run as they face the resilient New York Knicks, while out West, the Oklahoma City Thunder look to take the next step in their playoff run against the powerful Minnesota Timberwolves.

Here are our betting picks for the 2025 NBA Conference Finals, with odds from the best NBA bookmakers.

Minnesota Timberwolves vs Oklahoma City Thunder

Game 1: Wednesday, May 21 – 10:30am AEST – Paycom Center, Oklahoma

After a commanding performance to eliminate the Denver Nuggets, the Oklahoma City Thunder now turn their attention to a ruthless and youthful Minnesota Timberwolves squad in what promises to be one of the most exciting playoff matchups of the season.

Led by MVP finalist Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and emerging star Jalen Williams, OKC have built their playoff push on elite defence and explosive offensive surges. They dominated the Nuggets with two emphatic blowout wins in their seven-game series, showing poise beyond their years. This Thunder squad is young, fearless, and looks every bit like a legitimate title contender.

Minnesota, on the other hand, comes into this series fresh after dispatching an injury-riddled Golden State Warriors team. Prior to that, they handled a tough Los Angeles Lakers side with surprising ease. However, their long layoff could work against them early, as OKC rolls in with momentum and rhythm.

This matchup looks destined to go deep, but we’re backing the Thunder to ride their youthful energy and hot shooting to a 4-2 series win at $4.70 with Neds.

Luguentz Dort is emerging as a crucial part of OKC’s playoff run, knocking down 14 threes in the Denver series as a spot-up specialist, and with defences focused on Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams, his $8 odds to lead the series in three-pointers offers strong value for a sharpshooter in rhythm.

The defensive focus will undoubtedly shift to Anthony Edwards, who remains a high-volume shooter regardless of rhythm. Edwards drained 16 threes in just five games, but his streaky shooting and heavy attention from OKC’s defence — likely including Dort himself — could limit his efficiency. At just $1.40, Edwards offers little value in the market.

New York Knicks vs Indiana Pacers

Game 1: Thursday, May 22 – 10am AEST – Madison Square Garden, New York

The Knicks and Pacers rekindle one of the NBA’s great Eastern Conference rivalries, with both teams making their first Conference Finals appearance in over a decade. The Pacers shocked the league by eliminating the No.1 seed Cleveland Cavaliers in just five games, while the Knicks overcame the injury-riddled Boston Celtics in six.

Indiana’s high-octane offence, led by Tyrese Haliburton, have thrilled fans throughout the postseason, playing at a blistering pace that overwhelmed Cleveland. However, New York won’t be as easy to shake — especially after storming back from two 20-point deficits against Boston. That said, the Knicks will need to tighten up defensively, particularly if the Pacers continue to rain down threes and push the tempo.

The real value lies in the series scoreline. With momentum on their side, the Pacers are tipped to keep the run going and close out the series 4-2, which is paying $5.30 with Unibet.

From a player market perspective, Jalen Brunson’s perimeter shooting have been elite. He drained 13 three-pointers in the six-game win over Boston and should find even more space against a Pacers defence that struggles to apply pressure beyond the arc.

The main threat is Haliburton, who made 14 threes in just five games against the Cavs — his best stretch in weeks — and he’ll look to keep that momentum rolling.

Still, with Brunson in red-hot form, back him to lead the series in total three-pointers made at $3.10 with BetOnline.

Sports betting tips