The highly anticipated Game 4 of the NBA Finals is set to take place on Friday night, featuring the Indiana Pacers squaring off against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Tipoff is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET and can be viewed on ABC. As basketball betting experts analyze the latest odds, they have pinpointed five key NBA picks for this exciting matchup. Read on for our NBA best bets and predictions for Friday, June 13.
As the game approaches, our team of experts has compiled specific betting recommendations. These suggestions are based on the latest odds from various sportsbooks. For the most accurate information, always refer to our NBA Odds page, which highlights the best lines for every game.
By Joe Dellera
After a standout performance in the previous game, I’m revisiting my bet on T.J. McConnell. He has been instrumental in facilitating the Pacers' offense and serving as a scoring threat throughout this series. McConnell's ability to create his own shot is crucial for Indiana, especially since Tyrese Haliburton is drawing significant defensive attention. In the first three Finals games, McConnell is averaging 10 points and 5 assists. Notably, he has exceeded this line in 6 of his last 7 matchups against the Thunder, with his only miss being an 11-point game.
By Michael Arinze
The Pacers' bench has been a pivotal factor in their success, notably outscoring the Thunder's bench 49-18 in Game 3. Benedict Mathurin shone brightly, scoring 27 points—the highest of any player in that game. It’s important to mention that Mathurin, while currently coming off the bench, started 49 of the 72 regular-season games he played. Additionally, the Pacers capitalized on turnovers, converting them into 21 points. While the Pacers are known for their offensive prowess, their defensive performance is often overlooked, as evidenced by the Thunder managing only 18 points in the fourth quarter. Indiana boasts a superior Net Rating of +6.8 in the playoffs compared to Oklahoma City's +2.8. If the Pacers can keep the game within single digits after three quarters, they will likely have a solid chance to cover the spread as 6-point underdogs.
By Alex Hinton
The Indiana Pacers have proven to be a formidable opponent, showing resilience by achieving four come-from-behind victories of at least 15 points this postseason, the most since 1998. Their latest triumph was a five-point comeback in Game 3. Betting on the fourth quarter without witnessing the game's flow can be tricky, but the Pacers have demonstrated their ability to outscore the Thunder by 10+ points in the fourth quarters of Games 1 and 3. With a +27 margin in the fourth quarter across the series, the Pacers have displayed superior performance during clutch moments. Despite the Thunder's strong showing in Game 2, where they won by 16 points, the Pacers still managed to win the fourth quarter by three points. Thus, there’s value in betting on the Pacers to win the fourth quarter outright, or you can consider an alternate spread for the fourth quarter up to -9.5 at +830 on DraftKings.
By Bryan Fonseca
Focusing on the Thunder's performance, I believe their strength lies in the first half. Although Oklahoma City hasn't covered a full game on the road, they have excelled in multiple first halves similar to tonight's matchup. In Game 4 against Minnesota, the Thunder led by eight points at halftime, with the spread hovering around two points. Similarly, in Game 4 against Denver, they held a six-point lead at halftime while the first half line was around four. While they didn’t cover the full game in either instance, they managed to secure the win. I’m backing the Thunder to cover the first half spread, particularly with Indiana on the other side. An interesting bet could also be pairing Thunder first half with the Pacers full game at +710, considering the Pacers' reliability in fourth-quarter performances.
By Charlie Wright
We successfully hit our target in Game 3, and I’m confident in repeating that success in Game 4. Despite grabbing just 2 rebounds in Game 3, Myles Turner ranks as the fifth-best rebounder on the Pacers during the Finals. His rebounding skills will be critical for Indiana as they seek to maintain control of the game and capitalize on second-chance opportunities. Expect Turner to bounce back and contribute significantly on the boards in this pivotal matchup.
