NBA Finals bettors aren’t biting on the massive favorite at one online sportsbook, with the stage set for Game 1 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.
Key Takeaways
- BetMGM needs the Thunder, but ESPN BET has seen love on the favorite
- Bigger sportsbook liabilities were eliminated early
- Game 1 action is closer and varies by operator, according to the latest NBA odds
The Oklahoma City Thunder have odds of -700 to win the league’s championship series market at BetMGM, so the Indiana Pacers (+500) are getting 94% of the tickets and 85% of the handle, setting up a clear need for the operator heading into Thursday’s Game 1.
“The Thunder are big favorites to win the NBA Championship and a great result for the sportsbook on the futures market,” BetMGM trading manager Christian Cipollini said. “We are cheering against the Pacers lifting the Larry O’Brien Trophy.”
ESPN BET reported similar splits on the amount of tickets, as 22.5% of all series bets have come in on OKC. However, 88.2% of the money is backing the favorite.
Good for the books
While it’s not a surprise that the Thunder made it to the final best-of-seven series as the Western Conference’s No. 1 seed, it’s a profitable outcome for operators. The Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors were both bigger liabilities in the NBA championship market at BetMGM.
At ESPN BET, the Boston Celtics were the second-most bet team behind the Lakers. None of those teams made it past the second round. The Pacers were the fourth seed in the East and not a popular pick to make it this far.
Since the first round of the NBA playoffs began, ESPN BET has seen 50.1% of the handle and 18.8% of the bets come in on the Thunder, most of any team, with the Pacers second at 23.3% of the tickets and 13.9% of the handle. This market includes all settled bets.
Thursday action
Thursday’s start to the NBA Finals is mirroring bettors’ series approach at BetMGM. The Pacers, who opened at +8.5 and have since moved to +9.5 underdogs, are getting 62% of the bets and 56% of Game 1’s spread handle. Indiana has also seen 80% of the moneyline bets and 53% of the money at +350.
Bettors at ESPN BET prefer the 9.5-point favored Thunder, who are getting 57.4% of the handle and a slight 51.4% of the Thursday game’s bets. The moneyline handle (56.7%) and tickets (61.9%) also lean toward OKC.
DraftKings reported on Thursday that the Thunder (-10) received 60% of the money, but 59% of the tickets have come in on Indiana. OKC is also getting 52% of both the moneyline handle and bets.
All three sportsbooks reported that the majority of ticket and money percentages for the total are on the over, while Caesars Sportsbook took a big bet on a high-scoring affair as well.
A bettor in NV wagered $48.6K on OVER 230.5 (-110) in Game 1 of the NBA Finals 😱
— Caesars Sportsbook (@CaesarsSports) June 5, 2025
Potential payout: $92,781.80 pic.twitter.com/jNBBv3FZoF
Player prop love
ESPN BET said that since the matchup was set, Indiana guard Tyrese Haliburton has received 28.9% of the handle, the most money of any player, to win the NBA Finals MVP.
The Pacers star is also getting the two most-bet Game 1 props at BetMGM, both unders. Bettors think he won’t go over 9.5 assists with odds of -160 or 26.5 total points and assists (-105). OKC’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is also a popular pick to go under 7.5 assists (-145) and to score the first field goal at +525.
At ESPN BET, the league MVP to score 30+ points in Game 1 is the most popular player prop. Indiana’s Pascal Siakam is second at 20+ points.
You can keep up to date with our latest NBA Finals news, tips and previews.
