The Oklahoma City Thunder are making waves in the NBA Finals. They opened as heavy favorites at -750 against the Indiana Pacers, who are considered underdogs at +525. This is one of the biggest betting spreads we’ve seen in the last two decades.
To put this in perspective, the only team with shorter odds than the Thunder was the 2017-18 Golden State Warriors, who went into the Finals at -1075 against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Game 1 kicks off Thursday, where the Thunder are favored by 9 points. They earned this spot after beating the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games. This marks their return to the Finals for the first time since 2013.
The Pacers, on the other hand, started the season with 50-1 odds to win it all. They shocked many by advancing through the playoffs, recently defeating the New York Knicks in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals. If they manage to win, they will be the biggest long shots to clinch the title in the last 40 years.
History isn’t necessarily on the Pacers’ side. In the past 50 years, only two teams— the 2003-04 Detroit Pistons and the 2018-19 Toronto Raptors—who entered the Finals as significant underdogs went on to win the championship.
Experts suggest that the Thunder’s solid performance and strong lineup give them a significant edge. According to a recent survey from FanDuel, about 73% of bettors believe Oklahoma City will win the Finals. This shows the confidence fans have in their team.
As the series unfolds, keep an eye on social media reactions. Fans are buzzing with excitement, sharing predictions and team spirit. This kind of engagement adds an extra layer of fun to the Finals.
For a deeper look at the impact of betting favorites in the NBA, you might check out data from SportsOddsHistory.com. It highlights trends that show how favorites typically perform in high-stakes series.
As we approach Game 1, the narrative is clear: can the underdog Pacers prove the odds wrong, or will the favored Thunder take home the championship?
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