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Thunder Begin as Big Favorites in NBA Finals

The Oklahoma City Thunder enter the 2025 NBA Finals as significant favorites to defeat the Indiana Pacers. They are -700 ahead of Game 1 via the latest odds at the BetMGM online sportsbook.

At -700, the Thunder have an implied probability of 87.5% to win their first championship since moving to Oklahoma City in 2008. In their only other NBA Finals appearance since, the Thunder lost to the Miami Heat in 2012.

The Pacers haven’t made the NBA Finals since 2000, losing to the Los Angeles Lakers. Indiana is +500 to win this year’s series for an implied probability of 16.67%.

It’s not often that an NBA Finals matchup has featured a team with such overwhelming betting odds before the series. 

Oklahoma City is the biggest series favorite since the 2018 NBA Finals, when the Golden State Warriors were -1075 to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Warriors swept the Cavs that summer.

Prior to that, one team hasn’t been this big of a favorite since the 2004 NBA Finals. The Lakers had -700 odds that year, but the Detroit Pistons (+500) earned a 4-1 series win for the biggest betting upset in NBA Finals history (since 1969).

The 2019 Toronto Raptors are the only other team since 1969 to win the NBA Finals after being +200 or worse before the series. They were +230 before defeating the Warriors in six games.

Given the lopsided series price, it’s no surprise to see most markets favoring the Thunder. Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a -625 favorite to win the NBA Finals MVP award, while Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton is +700.

Gilgeous-Alexander is -5000 to lead all players in scoring during the series. Thunder big man Chet Holmgren is a -125 favorite to be the rebound leader. Haliburton has -625 odds to finish with the most assists and a +125 price to pace all players in made 3-pointers.

In terms of series result, the Thunder to win 4-1 is the most likely outcome at +200. Oklahoma City’s series spread of -2.5 games is listed at -125. The under on 5.5 total games in the series is -125 as well.

BetMGM has several other markets for this year’s NBA Finals. Game 1 is set for 8:30 p.m. ET on Thursday at the Paycom Center on ABC.

Visit the BetMGM sportsbook throughout the season for updated NBA futures, including win totals and championship odds. You can also view updated sportsbook promos, including a First Bet Offer for eligible new customers.