The excitement is building as the Oklahoma City Thunder prepare to face off against the Indiana Pacers in the NBA Finals, kicking off this Thursday. This pivotal matchup marks a significant moment for both teams, as one city will soon celebrate its first-ever NBA championship. According to the latest odds from BetMGM, the Thunder are heavily favored to secure the victory, making them -700 against the Pacers.
The Thunder have showcased their strength throughout the playoffs, finishing the regular season with an impressive 68 wins. Their playoff journey included a decisive series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, where they advanced in just five games, with three of those victories by double digits, including a staggering 30-point win in Game 5. This level of performance has led to Oklahoma City being the clear favorites in the Finals.
For context, the Thunder's playoff odds have remained heavily stacked in their favor, with them being -350 to defeat Minnesota, -800 against Denver in the second round, and an overwhelming -2000 to overcome Memphis in the first round. Despite facing a Game 7 against Denver, the Thunder's odds indicate a lack of correlation with the actual competitiveness of the series, further solidifying their position as the favored team.
BetMGM’s odds suggest that not only is Oklahoma City expected to win, but they are also anticipated to do so in a relatively short series. The most likely outcome is the Thunder winning in five games, which pays out at +200, followed closely by the possibility of a Thunder sweep at +325. This marks the Thunder as the biggest favorites entering the NBA Finals in several years.
To put this into perspective, last year, the Boston Celtics, with a 64-win record, were only favored at -225 against a 50-win Dallas team. The last time a team held such strong odds was in 2018, when the Golden State Warriors entered the Finals against LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers with -1075 odds, ultimately sweeping the series.
According to SportsOddsHistory.com, the Thunder’s current odds rank among the most lopsided in NBA Finals history. The 2001 Lakers hold the record as the biggest favorite with -2000 odds against the Philadelphia 76ers. Although the 76ers shocked the world with an upset in Game 1, the Lakers went on to win the next four games.
Interestingly, there is a glimmer of hope for the Pacers. The 2004 Detroit Pistons had the same +500 odds against the Lakers as the Pacers do now, and they managed to win the series in five games, marking a notable upset in NBA history.
As the Finals approach, all eyes are on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the regular season MVP, who is the overwhelming favorite to win the NBA Finals MVP award at -625. It’s difficult to envision a scenario where Oklahoma City emerges victorious without SGA being named the Finals MVP. However, should Indiana pull off the upset, Tyrese Haliburton stands a good chance for the award, currently holding +700 odds. Not to be overlooked, Pascal Siakam, who recently claimed MVP of the Eastern Conference finals, has odds of +2200.
Both teams are vying for their first NBA championship title. The Thunder previously reached the Finals in 2012, only to be defeated by James’ Miami Heat in five games. Since then, Oklahoma City has made two additional appearances in the conference finals. Conversely, the Pacers last made the Finals in 2000, where they were bested by Shaquille O’Neal’s Los Angeles Lakers in six games. This season marks the Pacers' 10th trip to the Eastern Conference Finals since 1994, with only two victories to show for their efforts.
In their regular season matchups, the Thunder have proven to be a formidable opponent for the Pacers, winning both encounters. Oklahoma City secured a 120-114 victory in Indiana on December 26 and followed up with a convincing 132-111 win at home on March 29. Additionally, this year’s Finals feature the two losing finalists from the NBA Cup, with Indiana having lost to the Lakers last year and the Thunder falling to Milwaukee this year.
As fans gear up for an exhilarating NBA Finals, the stage is set for the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers to battle it out for glory. Will the Thunder live up to the expectations, or can the Pacers pull off a shocking upset? Only time will tell.
