Thunder Surge Ahead as Overwhelming Favorites for 2025 NBA Finals After Commanding Game 5 Win

Thunder Dominate 2025 NBA Finals Odds After Crucial Game 5 Victory

The Thunder didn’t just win Game 5—they flipped the entire script on the NBA Finals odds. Bookmakers have Oklahoma City as the runaway pick for this year’s championship after they took care of business, crushing any doubts that lingered following their lone slip in Game 3. Heading into the clash, the Thunder sat at -525 on the odds boards, signaling strong confidence from the sports betting crowd. But after Game 5, that figure ballooned to a staggering -2000. Meanwhile, the Indiana Pacers, who managed an unexpected 116-107 win in Game 3, slid from +325 to a distant +1000 for the title.

Those numbers tell the entire story: the Thunder have the series by the scruff of the neck. Even when Indiana showed some fight mid-series, swinging their odds to as short as +185 ahead of Game 4, Oklahoma City's bounce back—and the public’s faith in their depth—have turned this into a mountain for the Pacers to climb.

MVP Race and Game 6 Spotlight

Everybody’s eyes are on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who’s not just running the Thunder’s offense but also leading all Finals MVP conversations. His odds have settled at -230, putting him comfortably ahead of the pack. He’s been tough, efficient, and, most importantly, consistent for Oklahoma City. On Indiana’s side, Tyrese Haliburton (+300) and Pascal Siakam (+750) have put up notable efforts, but unless the Pacers flip the script fast, their MVP chances are dim. As for the longshots, Jalen Williams (75-1) and Chet Holmgren (100-1) could only sneak in if something wild happens in the closing games—a possibility remote enough that few are biting.

Looking ahead to Game 6, the Thunder are six-point favorites, and pundits peg the combined points at 224.5. The series odds? Oklahoma City is deeply entrenched as the betting favorite at -1800, while the Pacers carry a glimmer of hope at +950. The numbers are sobering if you’re hoping for a comeback storyline, but they don’t erase the Pacers’ resilience. That Game 3 ambush was proof that Indiana can’t be counted out altogether, especially when their backs are to the wall.

But this isn’t just about numbers and odds. The Thunder have built a reputation for rolling with the punches. After their Game 3 stumble, their numbers dipped, only to rebound aggressively once they tightened up their rotations and clamped down on the Pacers’ offense. The way oddsmakers adjusted—shifting from -550 after Game 3 to the current -2000—shows just how much confidence has surged back to Oklahoma City’s side.

Now, with Indiana on the ropes and the Thunder holding match point, the real question is whether the Pacers have another surprise up their sleeve or if Oklahoma City will finally lift the trophy that’s eluded them since their 2012 campaign. One thing’s clear: the pressure has never been higher on Indiana, while the Thunder can almost taste victory, with history, momentum, and the oddsmakers all on their side.