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**Summary:**

Despite being significant underdogs, the Indiana Pacers are attracting “sharp” money (bets from influential, knowledgeable bettors) ahead of their Game 7 NBA Finals matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder. This has caused the point spread to shrink, indicating increased confidence in the Pacers’ ability to cover. A Pacers series win would be a historic upset, potentially surpassing the 2004 Detroit Pistons as the biggest underdog to win the NBA Finals in recent history. Their long-shot status has persisted throughout the season, with very few initially believing in their championship potential.

**News Article:**

**Sharp Bettors Back Pacers in Game 7, Shifting Odds in NBA Finals Showdown**

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Indiana Pacers, on the cusp of a monumental NBA Finals upset, are gaining traction with influential bettors as they head into a pivotal Game 7 against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday. Several sportsbooks have reported a surge of bets on the underdog Pacers from “sharp” bettors, resulting in a significant shift in the point spread.

Initially favored by 8.5 points, the Thunder’s advantage has shrunk considerably. ESPN BET adjusted the line to Oklahoma City -6.5 on Friday. As of Sunday morning, the consensus line sat at Thunder -7, tied for the largest point spread in a Finals Game 7 since 1991.

“With the way the series has played out, I can see people taking the [points] rather than laying,” Jeff Sherman, the vice president of risk for the Westgate SuperBook in Las Vegas, told ESPN. Sherman confirmed that his book had taken bets on Indiana at +8 and +7.5 from influential players.

Chris Andrews, sportsbook director at the South Point in Las Vegas, echoed this sentiment, stating he had to move the line down to Oklahoma City -7 to attract money on the favored Thunder after experiencing significant “sharp” action on Indiana.

The Pacers entered the Finals as +525 underdogs to defeat the Thunder, making them a potential historical upset. Should they prevail, they would be the biggest underdog to win the Finals since at least 1975, eclipsing the 2004 Detroit Pistons, who were +500 underdogs when they defeated the Los Angeles Lakers.

Indiana’s journey to this point has been improbable. After a slow start to the season following last year’s Eastern Conference Finals appearance, their championship odds ballooned to as high as 150-1. Few bettors believed in their chances entering the playoffs. At BetMGM, only 1% of the money wagered on the championship winner was on the Pacers, with sixteen teams attracting more bets.

Starting the season at 50-1 to win it all, an Indiana title would represent the most significant preseason longshot victory in the past 40 seasons, according to ESPN Research.

The betting activity suggests a growing belief in the Pacers’ ability to challenge the Thunder, setting the stage for a captivating Game 7 with potentially history-making implications.

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