The Oklahoma City Thunder Return to the Finals
The Oklahoma City Thunder are poised to return to the NBA Finals, marking their first appearance since 2012 after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves in a decisive five-game series. They are set to compete against the Indiana Pacers, who secured their spot by overcoming the New York Knicks in six games.
Strongest Favorites in Franchise History
Notably, the Thunder enter the Finals as the strongest favorites in the history of their franchise, signifying a major shift in their postseason prospects. According to BetMGM’s odds, Oklahoma City has opened as a -800 favorite, while Indiana is considered a distant +550 underdog.
This represents a significant increase in their favorability compared to their previous Finals appearance in 2012, where they were -175 favorites and ultimately lost to the Miami Heat in five games. Historically, the highest favorites in the Finals were the 2001 Los Angeles Lakers, who were an overwhelming -2000 against the Philadelphia 76ers and clinched the championship in five; the 2018 Golden State Warriors also came in strong at -1075 versus the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Thunder’s Impressive Season
Additionally, it’s worth noting that the Thunder’s record this season has been impressive, finishing with a remarkable 68-14 mark, earning them the top seed in the competitive Western Conference. This success has been complemented by their strong performance against the spread, achieving a 55-23-4 record during the regular season—the best over a 35-season span.
However, they have faced some struggles recently, going 7-9 against the spread in the playoffs. Still, they have exhibited resilience, particularly with their notable Game 7 victory against the Denver Nuggets in the conference semifinals and pivotal plays in Game 4 against the Timberwolves.
Indiana Pacers’ Resilience
On the other hand, the Indiana Pacers will be making their second Finals appearance in franchise history, having previously faced the Lakers in 2000, where they were bested in six games as large underdogs. This postseason has seen Indiana shine as they secured outright victories as underdogs in their playoff run, including notable victories against a depleted Milwaukee Bucks in Round 1 and competitive series against the Cavaliers and Knicks.
Looking Ahead to Game 1
As Game 1 of the NBA Finals approaches, scheduled for Thursday at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC, the Thunder are favored at home by 9 points, with the total over/under set at 229.5.
