Following their triumphant NBA title win, the Oklahoma City Thunder are poised as the frontrunners to clinch another championship next season. The Thunder secured victory over the Indiana Pacers with a 103-91 win in Game 7 on Sunday, marking the franchise’s second NBA championship, their first being achieved in 1979 when they were the Seattle SuperSonics.
Initially starting the year with +950 odds to win the championship, Oklahoma City’s chances improved significantly throughout the season, reaching -175 heading into the conference finals. Presently, at the BetMGM online sportsbook, the Thunder are the top favorites to reclaim the title, boasting +240 odds. Close behind are the Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks, each at +700.
With recent reports of acquiring Kevin Durant via a trade, the Houston Rockets stand at +800 odds. This offseason move could stir a competitive edge in the upcoming season.
During Game 7, the Thunder were initially a 9.5-point favorite, closing at 6.5-point favorites, yet they managed to cover the spread comfortably. They garnered 39% of the bets and 53% of the money. Conversely, Indiana, with closing odds of +225, attracted 88% of the bets and claimed 81% of the money. The finals saw Shai Gilgeous-Alexander crowned as the NBA Finals MVP. Starting the year at +900 for the MVP award, he received 41% of the MVP bets, the highest for any player in the league.
The over-under for the game was set at 214.5 but finished under. Historically since 2005, the underdogs have a 41-26 record in NBA Game 7s, with a flawless 5-0 in the finals.
In the world of golf, Keegan Bradley emerged victorious at the Travelers Championship, seizing his second win in three years by finishing one stroke ahead after birdying the final hole while Tommy Fleetwood bogeyed. Bradley had +3300 odds at the start, and despite beginning the last round three shots behind, he carried +400 odds to win.
On the baseball diamond, the Oakland Athletics were bested by the Cleveland Guardians in a 3-0 game on Sunday. Despite the Athletics being +105 underdogs, they were the third-most wagered team both in terms of bets and money.
Looking ahead, the PGA Tour moves to Detroit for the Rocket Mortgage Classic, attracting a more competitive field compared to previous years. Collin Morikawa leads the pack with best odds at +1200, followed by Patrick Cantlay (+1400), Keegan Bradley (+1600), and Ben Griffin at +2000.