The Pacers entered this series at +500 to be crowned champions. Not only did they steal Game 1, but they did so in dramatic fashion once again with a fourth-quarter comeback.
Pascal Siakam will look to help the Pacers ride this momentum in Game 2 tonight. Meanwhile, Luguentz Dort and Isaiah Hartenstein will try to even the series for the Thunder before heading to Indiana.
Continue below for my NBA player props for Sunday, June 8.
NBA Player Props for Sunday, June 8
- Luguentz Dort Over 1.5 Steals + Blocks (-135, DraftKings)
- Isaiah Hartenstein Over 14.5 Points + Rebounds (-115, Fanatics)
- Pascal Siakam Over 18.5 Points (-110, DraftKings)
Luguentz Dort Over 1.5 Steals + Blocks
Pacers vs. Thunder, 8:00 p.m. ET
Entering this series, Oklahoma City's defense received a lot of attention, and it showed why by forcing 25 turnovers in Game 1.
Lu Dort was right in the middle of it, as he has been all season. Dort earned All-Defensive First Team honors for the first time, primarily for his tenacious on-ball defense, and he has been forcing more turnovers lately.
Dort averaged 1.1 steals per game in the regular season. However, he has forced two steals in six of his last seven games, including four in Game 1. Just for the steals, he is +140 to record two tonight.
Dort also blocked two shots in Game 1, giving him six steals + blocks in total and going well over this line. He has a block in three of his last seven games.
Even if he regresses in the steals department with just one, he can still clear this number with one block.
Pick: Luguentz Dort Over 1.5 Steals + Blocks (-135, DraftKings)
Isaiah Hartenstein Over 14.5 Points + Rebounds
Pacers vs. Thunder, 8:00 p.m. ET
In Game 1, I did not play any Isaiah Hartenstein props because I expected him to play a reduced role in this series.
While I was right about him coming off the bench and playing fewer minutes, it was still a mistake.
Hartenstein played just 17 minutes, but he was very active, scoring nine points and nine rebounds. Two of his rebounds came on the offensive end.
In the Eastern Conference Finals, Mitchell Robinson also repeatedly exploited the Pacers on the offensive glass. He had an advantage over the Pacers' backup centers, just like Hartenstein does in this series.
He also has a strong track record against the Pacers, clearing this line in six of his last 11 games against them.
Hartenstein has had at least 18 PR in all six overs.
Even with his reduced minutes of late, he has cleared this in five of his last 10 games, landing exactly on 14 PR twice.
One more offensive rebound may tip the scales in his and our favor tonight.
Pick: Isaiah Hartenstein Over 14.5 Points + Rebounds (-115, Fanatics)
Pascal Siakam Over 18.5 Points
Pacers vs. Thunder, 8:00 p.m. ET
Pascal Siakam scored 19 points in six of his last 10 games and finished 18 in another. However, focusing on the last seven games, you notice an interesting trend.
He has alternated between scoring in the teens and 30 points in his past seven games, meaning tonight would be the time for him to have another 30-point game.
Siakam is +330 for 25 points and +1000 for 30 points on Fanatics tonight. It will be hard to get there against Oklahoma City.
However, he has cleared this line in six of his last eight games against Oklahoma City. That includes five games with 20 points and two with 25, so 19 should be well within his grasp tonight.
Additionally, a few of Siakam's scoring outbursts have coincided with Tyrese Haliburton being not as aggressive or held under 20 points.
Given his matchup against Oklahoma City's perimeter defense, Siakam may have to lead the way again.
Pick: Pascal Siakam Over 18.5 Points (-110, DraftKings)
