LAS VEGAS -- It’s Thursday, June 5th, and we’re in the heart of championship season. After last night's thrilling Stanley Cup Final, tonight brings the NBA Finals opener between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder. While the spotlight shines on basketball, there's also a full slate of MLB games to keep the betting action going all day.
First Pick: Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers over 229.5
Rundown: I like the Thunder to close out the Pacers in 5 or 6 games — they’ve just looked too polished on both ends. But with the odds too steep to take them outright, backing them in other ways feels smarter right now. They're deep, confident, and have handled every test so far. This series feels like theirs to lose. As for tonight's Game 1, the over 229.5 total points look appealing. Both teams have been involved in high-scoring games throughout the season, with the Thunder's games going over the total in 53 out of 99 games, and the Pacers' games going over in 52 out of 98 games. Given their offensive firepower and the pace they play at, a high-scoring opener seems likely.
Second Pick: Mookie Betts 2+ Bases
Rundown: Mookie Betts is a solid pick for 2+ total bases tonight. He went 2-for-5 with a run scored in his return from injury on June 3rd, showing he's back in form. Facing the Mets' pitching staff again, Betts has a good chance to rack up multiple bases. After another brutal loss to the Mets last night, I think LA will come back firing on all cylinders and Mookie will lead that charge. The Mets are sending out David Peterson, who has looked pretty good this season, but coming off a tough loss and Mookie being the player he is, I'm confident this bet hits.
Third Pick: San Francisco Giants Moneyline
Rundown: The Giant's money line looks like a great play tonight. Robbie Ray has been excellent this season with a 7-1 record and a 2.43 ERA, giving San Francisco a big edge on the mound. While the Padres have been hot, Dylan Cease has struggled to convert his strikeouts into wins, holding just a 1-4 record despite solid stuff. With Ray’s consistency and home-field advantage, backing the Giants to win outright makes a lot of sense.
Parlay of the Day: Oklahoma City Thunder Finals Winner Future Bet and Shohei Ohtani to record 3+ Bases
Rundown: The Thunder have looked like a complete team all postseason—young, deep, and totally locked in—so grabbing them now to win it all feels like smart timing. They’ve passed every test so far, and their chemistry is tough to beat. On the other side of the parlay, Shohei Ohtani’s been locked in at the plate, and 3+ bases isn’t a stretch with how often he’s finding gaps and hitting for power. Pairing a confident Finals pick with one of baseball’s hottest hitters feels like a fun and well-balanced bet.