OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (Diya TV) — The Oklahoma City Thunder are back in the NBA Finals for the first time since 2012 — and this time, they’re not the underdog.
After eliminating the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games in the Western Conference Finals, the Thunder are overwhelming favorites to win the franchise’s first NBA championship. They’ll face the Indiana Pacers, who advanced with a six-game win over the New York Knicks on Saturday night.
According to BetMGM, Oklahoma City opened as a massive -800 favorite in the Finals, while Indiana enters as a +550 underdog. That makes the Thunder the biggest Finals favorite in franchise history — even larger than when they were -175 favorites in the 2012 Finals, which they lost in five games to LeBron James and the Miami Heat.
Oklahoma City’s odds also place them among the largest favorites in NBA Finals history. Only the 2001 Los Angeles Lakers (-2000 vs. the 76ers) and the 2018 Golden State Warriors (-1075 vs. the Cavaliers) had steeper lines, per Sports Odds History. But those numbers don’t always translate to wins: the 2004 Lakers famously lost to the Pistons despite being -700 favorites, the biggest upset in Finals betting history.
This Thunder squad, however, might be uniquely built to avoid a similar fate. Oklahoma City cruised through the first round by sweeping the Memphis Grizzlies, survived a grueling seven-game battle with the defending champion Denver Nuggets, and played its most dominant basketball in dispatching the Timberwolves in five games.
The Thunder finished the regular season with a league-best 68-14 record, including a historic 55-23-4 mark against the spread — the best ATS performance in 35 years, per Sports Odds History. Though they’ve gone just 7-9 ATS in the postseason, their play has consistently risen in key moments.
Leading the charge is MVP finalist Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has emerged as arguably the best player left standing in the playoffs. He’s flanked by dynamic second-year forward Jalen Williams, standout rookie Chet Holmgren, and a deep, versatile supporting cast that plays with discipline and intensity.
Indiana, meanwhile, is back in the Finals for just the second time in franchise history. The Pacers lost in six games to the heavily favored Lakers in 2000 but have built serious momentum this postseason. They upset the Cleveland Cavaliers and Knicks as underdogs and have now won seven games outright when not favored.
Tyrese Haliburton has been at the center of Indiana’s surprising run, orchestrating a free-flowing offense while limiting mistakes. Former champion Pascal Siakam adds veteran leadership and big-game experience, and the Pacers’ red-hot perimeter shooting has made them dangerous all postseason.
Despite the talent and grit Indiana brings, the Thunder appear better positioned than ever to hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy. Their defense has smothered opponents, their offense flows through multiple creators, and their youth belies a maturity seen in deep playoff runs.
Game 1 of the NBA Finals tips off Thursday at 8:30 p.m. ET (7:30 p.m. CT) on ABC. The Thunder are currently listed as 9-point home favorites with a game total of 229.5 points.
If Oklahoma City can maintain its identity and contain Indiana’s perimeter shooters, it may finally capture the title that eluded them in 2012 — and firmly establish itself as the NBA’s next dynasty in the making.
