NBA Finals Game 5: Oklahoma City Thunder vs Indiana Pacers
We are tied 2-2, with Game 5 being played at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. The Thunder have regained home court advantage after winning Game 4. Historically, the winner of Game 5 in a tied series wins the championship 75% of the time.
Key Matchup Analysis
Oklahoma City Thunder
Dominant at home: 8-1 in playoffs with +27.9 average margin
Elite defense: #1 rated defense in both regular season and playoffs
MVP performance: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander averaging 35.5 PPG in Finals
Perfect bounce-back record: 5-0 after losses in these playoffs
Concern: Only 7-9 ATS in playoffs despite dominance
Indiana Pacers
Clutch performers: 9-1 in close playoff games
Elite shooting: League-leading 40.1% from three in playoffs
Road warriors: 6-3 ATS as playoff road team
Comeback ability: 5 wins from 15+ point deficits
Concern: Struggling with turnovers (18% rate vs Thunder defense)
Betting Recommendations
Best Bets:
Pacers +9.5 (-110) - The 9.5-point spread is too large for a pivotal Finals game. Pacers have shown they can compete on the road.
MLB Betting Analysis
Going for a deep dive today into all the games with lots of angles you can take.
Highest Confidence Plays:
Astros -1.5
Nationals -1.5
Padres +1.5
Philadelphia Phillies @ Miami Marlins (6:40 PM ET)
Pitching Matchup: Mick Abel (PHI, 1-0, 2.35 ERA) vs Sandy Alcantara (MIA, 3-7, 7.14 ERA)
Abel is making just his 4th MLB start after a brilliant debut, while former Cy Young winner Alcantara continues to struggle post-Tommy John surgery with a 10.08 ERA over his last 5 starts.
Best Bets:
Phillies ML (-130) - Clear pitching advantage
Over 8.5 runs (-120) - Alcantara's struggles + warm conditions
Phillies First 5 Innings ML - Target Alcantara early
Colorado Rockies @ Washington Nationals (6:45 PM ET)
Pitching Matchup: Carson Palmquist (COL, 0-4, 7.77 ERA) vs Jake Irvin (WSH, 5-3, 4.21 ERA)
The Rockies are 0-5 when Palmquist starts and have a historically bad 7-30 road record. The Nationals, despite their own struggles, have a significant pitching edge.
Best Bets:
Nationals Run Line -1.5 (-115) - Massive pitching mismatch
Jake Irvin Over 5.5 Strikeouts (-125) - Rockies strike out frequently
Under 9.0 runs (-115) - Nationals should control game
Los Angeles Angels @ New York Yankees (7:05 PM ET)
Pitching Matchup: Tyler Anderson (LAA) vs José Soriano (NYY)
Yankees have won 9 of last 10 games with MLB-best 2.54 starter ERA over last 39 games. They swept the Angels 3-0 in their May series.
Baltimore Orioles @ Tampa Bay Rays (7:35 PM ET)
Playing at temporary Steinbrenner Field, both teams dealing with rotation issues. The Rays are slight favorites at -124.
Boston Red Sox @ Seattle Mariners (9:40 PM ET)
Pitching Matchup: Lucas Giolito (BOS, 2-1, 5.45 ERA) vs Logan Gilbert (SEA, 1-1, 2.37 ERA)
Cross-country travel for Red Sox without rest. Gilbert has been elite when healthy.
Houston Astros @ Oakland Athletics (7:05 PM ET)
Pitching Matchup: Lance McCullers Jr. (HOU, 1-2, 4.91 ERA) vs Mitch Spence (OAK, 2-1, 3.67 ERA)
Game at Sacramento's Sutter Health Park, tied for most hitter-friendly ballpark in 2025. Astros on 5-game win streak.
San Diego Padres @ Los Angeles Dodgers (7:10 PM ET)
Historic Note: Shohei Ohtani makes his 2025 pitching debut, first appearance in 664 days. Expected to throw 1-2 innings as opener.
Division rivals with Dodgers leading by 1 game. Padres seeking revenge for 2024 NLDS elimination.