The Oklahoma City Thunder’s Dominance
The Oklahoma City Thunder are entering the NBA Finals as overwhelming favorites, following their dominant performance against the Minnesota Timberwolves. With a decisive 124-94 victory in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals, the Thunder now hold a staggering betting line of -625 at BetMGM to clinch the championship against either the Indiana Pacers or New York Knicks. For those placing a wager of $10 on the Thunder, a title victory would yield a modest profit of $1.60.
Outstanding Season Record
This season, Oklahoma City has demonstrated remarkable prowess, finishing with an impressive 68-14 record that secures them the top seed in the Western Conference for the second consecutive year. Their extraordinary season is highlighted by a point differential of 12.9 points per game, which not only led the league but also surpassed the previous record held by the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers, who had a differential of 12.3 points per game. Notably, the Thunder outpaced all other Western Conference teams by a minimum of 16 games, propelled by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who earned his first MVP title.
Key Players and Matchups
Gilgeous-Alexander showcased his scoring abilities by dropping 34 points in the recent Game 5 and maintained an impressive average of 32.7 points, alongside 6.4 assists and five rebounds throughout the season. Oklahoma City’s success was not confined to the Western teams; they have also dominated the Eastern Conference, further establishing their status as formidable championship contenders. The Thunder achieved an outstanding 29-1 record against Eastern teams, with their sole defeat occurring against the Cleveland Cavaliers in early January.
They quickly redeemed themselves, defeating the Cavaliers by 20 points in a subsequent meeting.
Future Opponents
Throughout the season, Oklahoma City secured victories against potential Finals foes, having bested the Pacers both on the road (120-114) and at home (132-111), along with back-to-back wins over the Knicks, including a notable 126-101 triumph in New York. Currently, as the Pacers lead their series against the Knicks 3-1, they appear poised to be the Thunder’s opponent in the Finals, with Indiana currently listed at +550 odds, while New York lags significantly behind at +3000.
