The Oklahoma City Thunder find themselves in unexpected territory as they prepare for the 2025 NBA Finals.
After dispatching the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference Finals, the Thunder have earned recognition that places them alongside some of basketball’s most dominant championship teams.
Betting markets have taken notice of Oklahoma City’s potential in a significant way.
According to BetMGM, the Thunder hold odds of -700 to win their first title since moving.
“If you listen to the odds, the Thunder are heavy favorites to win their first championship since the franchise relocated to Oklahoma City,” The Athletic wrote on X. “In fact, they are one of the largest favorites ever.”
If you listen to the odds, the Thunder are heavy favorites to win their first championship since the franchise relocated to Oklahoma City.
In fact, they are one of the largest favorites ever.
(Odds via @BetMGM) pic.twitter.com/4E9wbGnuP5
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) June 2, 2025
Facing the Indiana Pacers, this positioning ranks as the seventh most lopsided odds in NBA Finals history, putting the Thunder in rare company.
The betting confidence reflects the team’s impressive depth, the rapid development of their young core, and the strategic moves executed by the front office over recent seasons.
They face a Pacers squad that has defied every expectation this postseason.
Indiana entered the season with 50-1 championship odds, making them massive long shots that few analysts gave serious consideration.
Their playoff run included eliminating the New York Knicks in six games to reach the Finals.
Should the Pacers complete an unlikely championship run, they would become the biggest preseason underdogs to win the title in four decades.
History suggests their path remains difficult. Over the past 50 years, only two teams entering the Finals with odds of +200 or higher have won the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
The 2003-04 Detroit Pistons accomplished the feat by defeating the Los Angeles Lakers at +500 odds, while the 2018-19 Toronto Raptors succeeded at +230 against the Golden State Warriors.
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