NBA Finals Game 6 Expert Tips & Predictions

The NBA Finals continue Friday with Game 6 between the Oklahoma City Thunder vs Indiana Pacers, with the series lead going with the Thunder 3-2.

We have NBA Finals Game 6 expert tips and predictions for the big game, where the Thunder are $1.39 favourites to close out the series.

NBA Finals Game 6 Tips

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There is some concern about the health of Tyrese Haliburton, but we’re prepared to back the Pacers regardless of whether he plays.

He had a poor Game 5 performance, and the Pacers had a chance to put on the pressure late. They closed well in the fourth quarter before the Thunder made some shots to make the margin 11 points, but that wasn’t an accurate reflection of the game.

T.J. McConnell coming off the bench inspired the Pacers, and he has been a reliable player. Haliburton plays his best basketball in the fourth quarter, but he has been average for the most part. Therefore, if McConnell takes over the point, the Pacers could get off better shots.

Playing at home has helped the Pacers, who won 116-107 in Game 3 before losing their most recent home game. That was another game they had a chance to win late, so getting a +6.5 line is generous given this situation.

Everything points towards the series going the distance. It has been a tight series, and although it’s not an NBA Finals we’ll remember for years, Game 6 could have something special in store. Take the +6.5 line, and if Haliburton doesn’t play, take the bigger line from bookies.

Pacers by 3

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McConnell did all he could to keep the Pacers in the hunt on Tuesday, scoring 18 points. We’re backing him to have another big performance, and if Haliburton doesn’t play, his odds for 15+ points will shorten significantly.

He is good enough to score in the paint for the Pacers, and with NBA defences moving closer to the three-point line, that allows players like McConnell to get into the paint without much standing in their way.

We also like Pascal Siakam to have 20+ points. Siakam has been the Pacers best players throughout the series, scoring 28 points in Game 5, and he is due for another big scoring night. He is another player who gets into the paint and takes advantage of some moderate defence, so look for the big man to dominate the interior.

Punters get value odds for Isaiah Hartenstein to have 8+ rebounds. He had eight boards in Game 5, and we thought he would be much shorter than $2.45. The current favourite is Chet Holmgren, but he could sit for much of the game with foul trouble.

That will allow Hartenstein to get more court time, and he can dominate the boards on his day. With 8+ rebounds in three of his last five games, he’s a value bet.