The Oklahoma City Thunder have dominated the Western Conference for months, securing the No. 1 seed weeks before the regular season ended. Their 68-14 record is impressive, but even more remarkable is how consistently they’ve rewarded bettors throughout the season.
Despite resting all their key players, the Thunder defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 115-100 on Sunday, easily covering the 12.5-point spread. That win pushed their regular season against the spread (ATS) record to 55-23-4 (70.5%), marking the best ATS performance in a regular season since 1990, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
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2025 NBA Play-In Matchups Set With Thunder Awaiting First-Round Opponent
For the second consecutive year, the Oklahoma City Thunder have locked up the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, and with that success comes another waiting game. Once again, they’ll spend the week preparing without knowing who their first-round opponent will be until Friday night.
After closing out a stellar 68-14 regular season with a 115-100 win over the New Orleans Pelicans, it didn’t take long for the list of potential first-round matchups to narrow to four teams. The NBA’s Play-In Tournament is now set: the No. 8 Memphis Grizzlies will travel to face the No. 7 Golden State Warriors on Tuesday, April 15. The winner will earn the seventh seed and a matchup against the Houston Rockets in the first round.
The loser of that game gets one final shot at the postseason. On Wednesday, April 16, the No. 10 Dallas Mavericks will visit the No. 9 Sacramento Kings. Then, on Friday, April 18, the winner of that game will face the loser of the 7/8 matchup to determine the No. 8 seed—and the team that will face Oklahoma City in Round 1.
No matter which team emerges from the Play-In, the Thunder will enter the series as strong favorites. With the league’s best record and serious championship aspirations, Oklahoma City is expected to make a deep postseason run.
Oklahoma City Thunder Odds
As the NBA playoffs draw near, the Oklahoma City Thunder have firmly established themselves as the clear frontrunner in the Western Conference. Their dominant regular season, marked by a 68-14 record and a historic performance against the spread, has positioned them as the team to beat heading into the postseason.
Thunder betting odds on sportsbooks reflect this dominance—according to the latest figures, Oklahoma City is the odds-on favorite to win the Western Conference, listed at -135. This places them well ahead of other contenders, including the Los Angeles Lakers at +550 and the Golden State Warriors at +600—two teams with championship pedigree but are in less consistent regular-season form.
The Thunder’s standing as a betting favorite isn’t limited to the Western Conference. They also top the board in overall NBA title futures, entering the playoffs as the league-wide favorite with +175 odds to win the championship. That edge reflects the betting market’s confidence in Oklahoma City’s roster and the team’s on-court success throughout the season. With a balanced mix of veteran leadership, youthful energy, and depth across the board, the Thunder are seen as a complete team capable of navigating the playoff gauntlet and securing their first title since relocating to Oklahoma City.
Are The Thunders Built To Last?
Few of the NBA franchises are as well-positioned for immediate and long-term success as the Oklahoma City Thunder. A highly competent front office guides the organization, features a legitimate Most Valuable Player (MVP) candidate in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and fields a young, talented roster brimming with future All-Star potential.
In-depth NBA Player Stats Analysis only reinforces this outlook, highlighting the Thunder’s efficiency, versatility, and balance across key metrics on both court ends. Additionally, the Thunder benefit from the leadership of the reigning NBA Coach of the Year, possess a significant stockpile of draft capital, and—at least for now—maintain considerable flexibility within the salary cap.
This unique combination of assets and infrastructure is exceedingly rare in professional basketball. Oklahoma City is structured for sustained excellence from executive to on-court personnel. A 60-win regular season campaign in 2025 is not only realistic—it is expected. The ultimate question, however, is whether this team is built for postseason success.
Absent unforeseen obstacles such as injuries or playoff volatility, the Thunder meet all the conventional criteria of a championship contender. Despite last season’s early playoff exit after securing the top seed in the Western Conference, that experience could serve as a vital stage in the developmental arc of a young, emerging core. General Manager Sam Presti has since further reinforced the roster, signaling that Oklahoma City is not content with regular-season dominance alone.
As the postseason approaches—where the game slows down, scouting becomes more refined, and every possession is magnified—the Thunder’s strengths appear well-suited for the playoff stage. Last season, they were one of the NBA’s most proficient three-point shooting teams. With Gilgeous-Alexander leading the offense, the Thunder have a dynamic and reliable go-to option capable of performing under the intense pressure of a seven-game series.
Final Words
As the 2025 NBA Playoffs approach, the Oklahoma City Thunder find themselves in an enviable position: elite on the court, trusted at the sportsbooks, and poised for a deep postseason run. Their historic 68-14 record, combined with an industry-leading 70.5% success rate against the spread, underscores how dominant and consistent this team has been throughout the regular season.
As they await their first-round opponent from the Play-In Tournament, Oklahoma City stands as the odds-on favorite not just to win the Western Conference but to capture the NBA title. And rightfully so. Armed with experience, youth, depth, and a championship-caliber mentality, the Thunder appears ready to turn their regular-season dominance into a historic playoff journey.
