The Indiana Pacers are gaining momentum from influential bettors heading into Game 7 against the Thunder on Sunday, sparking a significant shift in betting odds. According to multiple sportsbooks, sharp bettors have been placing bets on the underdog Pacers, causing the spread to drop by up to two points. This has moved the line at ESPN BET from Oklahoma City -8.5 to -6.5, with many experts now favoring Indiana +7.
NBA oddsmaker Jeff Sherman notes that sharp bettors are taking the Pacers’ side, stating “I can see people taking the [points] rather than laying.” The Westgate SuperBook’s vice president of risk has taken bets on Indiana +8 and +7.5 from influential bettors. Similarly, Chris Andrews at the South Point in Las Vegas took sharp action on Indiana, forcing him to move the line down to Oklahoma City -7.
The Pacers’ odds to win the championship initially started at 50-1 before increasing to 150-1 midway through the season. However, as they progressed through the playoffs, their value grew, and they became a popular underdog pick among bettors. Indiana is now poised to make history as the biggest underdog to prevail in the NBA Finals since 1975.
The shift in betting odds reflects the growing confidence in the Pacers’ ability to upset the favored Thunder. With Game 7 just around the corner, these developments suggest that the underdog’s chances are being closely monitored by the sportsbook community.
Source: https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/45560886/game-7-line-drops-pacers-try-nba-finals-upset-vs-thunder