If the Indiana Pacers have any hope of upsetting the Oklahoma City Thunder in these NBA Finals, Tyrese Haliburton must play at his absolute best. If Haliburton can shoot efficiently while running a multifaceted offense, then perhaps Indiana can be the first team to figure out Oklahoma City’s defense.
More likely, every moment of Haliburton dazzling us will soon be matched by one of the Thunder humbling him. Their defenders are too good and too many for mere mortals to baffle.
My Tyrese Haliburton picks for Game 1 focus on his rebounding ability.
Find out why in my NBA picks for Thursday, June 5.
Tyrese Haliburton player prop picks
- Best bet
Tyrese Haliburton Over 4.5 rebounds
(-130 at bet365) - SGP pick
Tyrese Haliburton Over 4.5 rebounds
Tyrese Haliburton Over 2.5 turnovers
Tyrese Haliburton Under 2.5 threes
(+500 at bet365)
Click on each pick to jump to the full analysis.
Tyrese Haliburton best bet
Tyrese Haliburton Over 4.5 Rebounds (-130 at bet365)
As well as Tyrese Haliburton has been rebounding this postseason, averaging 5.7 boards per game compared to 3.5 in the regular season and clearing this prop in 11 of 16 playoff games, much of this thought is based on how badly the Oklahoma City Thunder have been rebounding all year. The Thunder rank No. 11 this postseason in rebounding percentage, though to be fair, the Indiana Pacers rank No. 13.
The other teams in the bottom six? The Heat, the Lakers, the Clippers, and the Warriors. Only one of those advanced out of the first round.
This has been a season-long problem for both Oklahoma City and Indiana. The Thunder ranked No. 19 in the regular season, with the Pacers worse at No. 28.
Someone in these Finals has to collect rebounds. Look to Haliburton.
As Anthony Edwards struggled to play clean offense last round, he could continue to collect rebounds, averaging 7.4 per game in the series, compared to a regular-season mark of 5.7. That had been an Edwards emphasis all postseason, and it helped the Timberwolves stay in vague contact in some of the Western Conference Finals, particularly as he grabbed nine in each of the first three games.
Finding areas to contribute while remaining within the confines of a scheme is key to not compounding struggles. Edwards was doing his best to toe that line.
Oklahoma City is going to make Haliburton’s life difficult. There is no reason whatsoever to think otherwise. He should crash the glass to still impact the game.
In a matchup between two teams that are rather rebounding adverse, look to aggressive guards to collect some spare change.
Tyrese Haliburton same-game parlay
Tyrese Haliburton Over 4.5 rebounds
Tyrese Haliburton Over 2.5 turnovers
Tyrese Haliburton Under 2.5 threes
Rarely do basketball series bring this much strategic anticipation to the opening moments. As much as podcasters like to say a series will be filled with “interesting chess moves,” a chess player will tell you the difference between any postseason series and a chess game is that in chess, adjustments begin before the game. In the postseason, coaches typically go into the first game stubborn and learn from that.
There is no opening gambit in basketball. Bobby Fischer made what may be the most famous chess move in history by opening with a bishop’s pawn, but no head coach alters a starting lineup before a series. (1. c4 led to Fischer’s Queen’s Gambit, which effectively won the 1972 World Chess Championship against Boris Spassky.)
All that is acknowledged to give some deference to Rick Carlisle. Do not be surprised if the shrewd veteran coach doubles down on his unique offense that got Indiana this far, despite the whirlwind of a defense awaiting them. Carlisle wants to convey faith in his team before switching gears on them.
And that unique offense will put the ball in Haliburton’s hands plenty. As Lu Dort and Alex Caruso swarm him, Haliburton is naturally going to turn over the ball. As Minnesota’s primary creator, Edwards committed at least three turnovers in four of five games against the Thunder, averaging 3.2 per game.
Simply enough, the ball will be in Haliburton’s hands too much not to expect some turnovers.
That whirlwind of a defense also excels at allowing only bad looks from 3, particularly if someone does not shoot from the corner often. As a creator, Haliburton is rarely stationed awaiting a corner 3. Instead, his looks come on swings. But Haliburton’s shooting motion takes longer than anyone would call ideal, and that delayed shot plays right into the Thunder’s strategy, hurrying shooters even when they think they are open. Haliburton may attempt plenty of 3s in this series, but do not expect him to make many.
Cash your ML bets quicker with bet365's early win payout
Take advantage of the early win payout at bet365, where any pre-game NBA moneyline bet gets paid out as a winner if your team goes up by 20+ points!
Learn more about this feature, and all of bet365's offerings, with our comprehensive bet365 review.
21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
