The NBA Finals will start tonight with game one between the Indian Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Both teams are in the hunt for their first NBA Championship, and while oddsmakers are heavily favoring the Thunder, the Pacers are looking to flip those odds. The Pacers were early underdogs in the Eastern Conference Finals but beat the NY Knicks in six games.
The Oklahoma City Thunder has had a franchise-best year with 68 wins and only 14 losses. They also have the league’s MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA), who has turned it up in the postseason, averaging nearly 30 points per game. Considering everything, it is not surprising that most wagers will likely be placed on OKC.
USA online sports betting sites offer game lines, props, and specials for the upcoming championship series. Below, we will discuss some of the odds available and how you can maximize your earning potential by betting on props and the underdog.
NBA Finals Sportsbook Odds
Online, you will find numerous odds for game one of the NBA Finals, including game lines, quarter-game lines, player props, and more. Betting on the Thunder to win the game will likely produce a winning bet; however, betting on props might be the best bet to maximize your winnings.
As you can see with the odds listed below, a $100 bet on the money line for the Thunder to take game one will only net $22.73. While that is not a bad win, a $100 bet on Pascal Siakam to score the most points in game one will net $850.
Siakam has only averaged 21.1 points per game this postseason, leading the team well under SGA’s average. However, the Pacers will be looking to shut down SGA, and if they succeed, a prop bet on Siakam to be the points leader at the end of the competition could come to fruition.
Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
- Spread: +9.5 (-110), -9.5 (-110)
- Win: +320, -430
- Total: O230.0 (-110), U230.0 (-110)
Top Points Scorer
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC) -500
- Jalen Williams (OKC) +340
- Pascal Siakam (IND) +850
- Tyrese Haliburton (IND) +1300
Odds via Bovada
Sportsbook Bonus Offers For NBA Finals
New accounts can take advantage of generous welcome bonuses that can be used to bet on the NBA Finals.
Sportsbook bonuses often entail wagering requirements, so if you only want to bet on the finals and don’t plan on wagering a lot, it might be best to pass on the offer. However, taking the bonus is smart if you plan on keeping the account and maybe wagering on other sports.
However, suppose you choose to wager on the NBA Finals. In that case, our advice is never to wager more than you can afford to lose and to set limits, as the sport is often unpredictable, and betting on projected outcomes can become costly.