Why bettors are avoiding the favored Thunder in the NBA Finals
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) reacts to a foul call during the second half of Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the New York Knicks in Indianapolis, Saturday, May 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2), front, celebrates with teammates after Game 5 of the Western Conference finals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Wednesday, May 28, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2), front, celebrates with teammates after Game 5 of the Western Conference finals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Wednesday, May 28, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) reacts to a foul call during the second half of Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the New York Knicks in Indianapolis, Saturday, May 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2), front, celebrates with teammates after Game 5 of the Western Conference finals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Wednesday, May 28, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)
LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Oklahoma City Thunder are such heavy favorites to win the NBA title that many bettors are looking for other wagers instead.
Professional bettors, in particular, have searched out player propositions and hit the under on the totals rather than take the Thunder at -700 at BetMGM Sportsbook or -650 at DraftKings Sportsbook. Indiana is listed at +500 at BetMGM and +475 at DraftKings for the NBA Finals that open Thursday.
Advertisement
'It's just not enticing to bet a money line or spread,' BetMGM trading manager Christian Cipollini said. 'That number kind of scares you off even if you do like the Pacers. You're like, 'They're +500 for a reason.''
The Thunder have won seven games this postseason by double digits, four by at least 30 points.
Oklahoma City is the biggest favorite since Golden State in 2018, according to sportsoddshistory.com. That Warriors team, led by Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant, was listed at -1075 and swept Cleveland and LeBron James.
The Thunder franchise won its only previous title in 1979, when it was in Seattle and known as the SuperSonics. The team relocated to Oklahoma City in 2008.
Advertisement
CBS SportsLine handicapper Bruce Marshall said he thinks the Thunder will be pushed much harder by the Pacers, saying he could see the series going seven games.
'I think they're probably going to win the series, but I don't see any value with that sort of price for them,' Marshall said. 'I think there's enough here that Indiana can make it interesting."
Maybe give SGA a look
For those who don't want to bet $700 at BetMGM or $650 on Oklahoma City to win $100 at DraftKings, they could consider laying money on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for finals MVP.
This year's league MVP is the -600 favorite at DraftKings, the largest favorite since the sportsbook began posting odds in 2019, but a little bit of a discount compared to betting on the team.
Advertisement
Gilgeous-Alexander has averaged 29.8 points, 5.7 rebounds and 6.9 assists in the playoffs.
'We know he's going to score 30 points at least every game,' said Johnny Avello, DraftKings race and sports operations director. 'There's one (game) where he might be off a little bit. They still have to win because they're not going to give it to him if they lose the series.'
Pacers' dynanic duo
Pascal Siakam edged teammate Tyrese Haliburton to win the Eastern Conference Finals MVP when Indiana beat New York, which caused some debate about whether it went to the right player.
Haliburton is listed behind Gilgeous-Alexander at DraftKings at +750 for finals MVP and Siakam is next at +1600.
Advertisement
'You could pick either guy here,' Avello said. 'Siakam is just playing really well right now. Not that Haliburton's not.'
Hitting the road
One reason Marshall believed the Pacers can make this a competitive series is that they play so well away from home — and how poorly the Thunder can play outside their comfort zone.
Indiana is 6-2 on the road, winning all three games in the Eastern Conference semifinals at top-seeded Cleveland and taking two at Madison Square Garden to eliminate the Knicks.
The Thunder are 0-7 against the point spread in road playoff games, but have the home-court advantage. Oklahoma City is favored at BetMGM by 9 1/2 points in Game 1.
Advertisement
'It's two different teams at home and on the road,' Marshall said. 'It's pretty stark."
Hoping for the Thunder
Given that most of the futures money and series betting have been on Oklahoma City, it would seem counterintuitive for a sportsbook to want the Thunder to win the championship.
But that's exactly the situation at BetMGM, which has priced the Thunder in a way throughout the season and playoffs to make it worthwhile.
'I don't think they ever got worse than maybe +400 to win it all,' Cipollini said. 'It still has been our best outcome basically from the beginning of the season.'
__
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/nba
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
21 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Toronto Raptors trying to catch a ‘big fish' on NBA trade market
Three consecutive years of missing the NBA Playoffs, and the Toronto Raptors are prepared to make more significant changes. We've already seen them part ways with franchise cornerstones like Fred VanVleet, Pascal Siakam, and OG Anunoby. What's next? Now, according to ESPN's NBA insider Brian Windhorst, the Raptors are prepared to go hunting for a 'big fish' on the NBA trade market. 'I don't want to get too far afield from this, but since this has come up, the Raptors are a team that is starting to make noise within the league about looking for a big fish. And, if you're an Eastern Conference team that's in the middle of the pack, you're looking at the teams in front of you going, 'Some of them may not be able to come together, may be able to stay together.' Boston is hurt, and so there are some teams that sniff the ability to make a move, and I think Toronto is one of those teams. And so naturally, any team that wants to make a move this summer, especially a team in the Eastern Conference, you're going to have Giannis on the board. But Toronto, I think, is going to try—from their initial conversations, teams in the league are getting the impression that Toronto is going to try to do something.' Advertisement Are the Raptors eyeing someone like Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo? If they're looking to reel in a big fish, why not start with the two-time NBA MVP? Yet, there's no guarantee that the Bucks will open up trade discussions involving the Greek Freak this offseason. Other possible choices include players like Phoenix Suns superstar scorer Kevin Durant. Then again, there's always the surprise no one saw coming, like when the Dallas Mavericks tarded Luka Doncic. Perhaps that's what Toronto is looking to find, trying to uncover a trade opportunity that few could anticipate. If so, that would open up a whole new world of possibilities. Would the New York Knicks already have interest in shaking up their core? It's only one of a long list of potential options this offseason, and it appears the Raptors are ready to pounce. Related: Former top-five draft pick eyes comeback and is drawing interest from multiple NBA teams
Yahoo
22 minutes ago
- Yahoo
NBA rumors: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Eastern Conference team have mutual interest
Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo is weighing his future ahead of a busy NBA offseason, with multiple teams around the league hoping the two-time MVP requests a trade. While an official decision hasn't been made, there's at least one team on his radar. Doug Smith of the Toronto Star reports that there is 'mutual interest' between Antetokounmpo and the Toronto Raptors. The report comes shortly after NBA rumors surfaced that Toronto wants to make a big move this offseason. Advertisement Related: Latest on where things stand with Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo Giannis Antetokounmpo stats (ESPN): 30.4 PPG, 11.9 RPG, 6.5 APG, 60.1% FG, 1.2 BPG There aren't even ongoing talks right now as Antetokounmpo hasn't even decided whether or not he wants to request a trade. That call won't even come until after he meets with the Bucks' organization, gaining an understanding of their long-term plan for building a championship contender around him. If he requests a trade, Sam Amick of The Athletic has previously said that he could see Antetokounmpo providing Milwaukee with a specific list of teams he wants to play for. If that happens, then Toronto could be on it and the Bucks would only have a select number of options. Related: Toronto Raptors trying to catch 'big fish' in trade market Giannis Antetokounmpo contract (Spotrac): $54.125 million cap hit (2025-'26), $56.456 million cap hit (2026-'27), $62.786 million player option in 2027 Advertisement Toronto owns all of its future first-round picks and it can offer young players like 2024 first-round pick Ja'Kobe Walker, 2023 first-round pick Gradey Dick and other assets. However, teams like the San Antonio Spurs, Cleveland Cavaliers and the Houston Rockets could make stronger offers. What's clear is the Raptors have always had an interest in Antetokounmpo, with president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri having aggressively tried to trade up for him during the 2013 NBA Draft. Read More: Milwaukee Bucks' stance on a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade Related Headlines
Yahoo
24 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Shaq Makes Strong Jayson Tatum Statement During Hall of Fame Conversation
Shaq Makes Strong Jayson Tatum Statement During Hall of Fame Conversation originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Shaquille O'Neal is a big man with big opinions. Affectionately known as "Shaq", the Hall of Famer has continued an impressive run of success in his post-playing career. Advertisement While becoming an integral part and staple of "Inside the NBA" on TNT, O'Neal has also carved out time to co-host multiple podcasts since retiring from the NBA. It's on this platform, where O'Neal's unfiltered opinions can roam freely. The four-time NBA champion, and one-time NBA MVP, was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016. After calling it quits in 2011 after an incredible 19-year-career, O'Neal feels qualified to give his opinion on current players who deserve to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. During an episode of "The Big Podcast" this week, alongside Adam Lefkoe, O'Neal made a strong statement when Lefkoe suggested Jayson Tatum's NBA resume, through just eight seasons, should put him in the Hall of Fame. "He's a Hall of Famer? You motherf***ers are just throwing people (Jayson Tatum) in there now," O'Neal said. Advertisement Lefkoe ran down Tatum's list of accomplishments through his eight-year-career. Tatum has been named to three All-NBA First Teams, has been named an All-Star five times, and has won an Olympic gold medal. Tatum, who suffered a gruesome torn left Achilles tendon during the Eastern Conference semifinals, will likely miss a large portion of the upcoming 2025-26 NBA season. NBA analyst Shaquille O'Neal and Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum.© Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images | © John Jones-Imagn Images O'Neal went on to elaborate on the current NBA players, outside of LeBron James who is assured a spot, who deserve to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. "I would have to go (Stephen) Curry, he's got three or four rings. Giannis (Antetokounmpo), and Joker (Nikola Jokic)," O'Neal said. Advertisement Related: Shaq Drops Multiple Expletives on Live 'Inside the NBA' Broadcast Related: Shaq Slams Zion Williamson's Career-Best Performance During Pelicans-Clippers This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
