NBA Finals: An Unlikely Showdown
The NBA Finals is witnessing an unlikely turn of events as the Indiana Pacers prepare for a decisive Game 7 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, with only one victory separating them from a potentially historic upset. Having started as significant underdogs, the Pacers have garnered considerable attention from savvy gamblers, impacting the betting lines ahead of Sunday’s critical match.
Betting Dynamics Shift
Initially, the Thunder were heavily favored at 8.5 points, but recent betting patterns have led sportsbooks to reduce the spread, with the line dropping to as low as 6.5 points at some outlets over the past few days. As of Sunday morning, the consensus line stood at Oklahoma City -7, marking the largest point spread for a Game 7 in the Finals since 1991, as reported by ESPN Research.
Jeff Sherman, the risk manager for the Westgate SuperBook in Las Vegas, indicated a shift in betting behavior, citing that more bettors are inclined to back the Pacers with the points rather than supporting the favored Thunder.
His sportsbook noted influxes of bets on Indiana at +8 and +7.5 from influential players.
Chris Andrews, who oversees the sportsbook at the South Point, also commented on the betting dynamics, confirming that sharp actions on the Pacers prompted him to adjust the line to Oklahoma City -7 to encourage more wagering on the Thunder.
The Pacers’ Historic Opportunity
Entering the Finals as +525 underdogs, the Pacers are on the verge of making history if they can clinch the championship. A victory would see them eclipse the Detroit Pistons’ status as the biggest underdog to win the Finals since 1975.
During the regular season, the Pacers faced adversity, seeing their odds extend to a daunting 150-1 midway through the schedule, causing skepticism about their playoff capabilities. Surprisingly, they had attracted less attention from bettors compared to sixteen other teams throughout the season, including squads that failed to make the postseason, like the Phoenix Suns and the Philadelphia 76ers. Specifically, the Pacers accounted for a mere 1% of the total wagers on championship odds at BetMGM.
With a start-of-season line of 50-1 to win the NBA championship, Indiana could achieve the remarkable feat of being the largest preseason long shot to finish as champions in four decades if they succeed. The anticipation builds as fans and bettors alike await the outcome of this thrilling Game 7 showdown.
