Game 7 of the NBA Finals doesn't usually come around all the time. With the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers both finding a very different way to come up with three wins apiece prior to their showdown on Sunday night, the 2025 edition of the NBA's crescendo will be decided in 48 minutes (or more) for the first time since 2016.
Nine years ago, it was the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors, behind LeBron James and Steph Curry, giving us the last Game 7 of the NBA Finals. The eight-year drought is the second-longest ever, behind just 1995 to 2004, ten years between the Rockets-Knicks and Pistons-Spurs.
The one thing the 2025 version of Game 7 of the NBA Finals has is a big spread. The Thunder opened up as high as a nine-point favorite at home in Game 7 against the Pacers. Now, after some action on Indiana, OKC is down to a 7.5-point favorite.
No matter where it closes, it will certainly go down in betting history, given some of the games and teams it will eventually go down in history next to.
Going back a full sixty years, we have seen a total of twelve Game 7s in the NBA Finals. Of those twelve games, six have actually had a point spread of five or more. Drilling it down a bit further, only three Game 7s before this year closed with a spread of six points or more, dating back to 1962, and all three involved the same matchup.
At -7.5 or higher, the 2025 Thunder will be the biggest Game 7 favorite since the 1966 Celtics were eight-point favorites against the Lakers. Above -8, the 2025 Thunder would go back to the 1962 Celtics, who hold the record in this span at -9 at home against the Lakers as well.
1. 1962 Celtics
Game: Lakers at Celtics, 1962
Spread: Celtics (-9)
Result: BOS, 110-107 (OT)
This was not only the Celtics first 60-win season under Red Auerbach, but the first one in league history. Boston didn't have an easy playoff journey, winning both series in seven games against first Wilt Chamberlain and the Warriors and then Elgin Baylor, Jerry West and the Lakers.
Game 7 of the 1962 NBA Finals was an instant classic. The Celtics and Lakers went into overtime after a Sam Jones jumper forced the extra period. Bill Russell dominated with 30 points and 40 rebounds, while Frank Selvy missed a potential game-winner for the Lakers at the end of regulation. The win marked Boston’s 4th title in 6 years, solidifying their emerging dynasty under Red Auerbach.
2. 1966 Celtics
Game: Lakers at Celtics, 1966
Spread: Celtics (-8)
Result: BOS, 95-93
The 1966 playoffs started against Oscar Robertson and the Royals. Boston lost Game 1 and Game 3 and still won the 5-game series. They then beat Chamberlain again in five games, followed by again the Lakers. This series was wild with the Celtics losing Game 1 at home, winning three straight, then losing Games 5 and 6 before winning Game 7 at home by two points.
This Game 7 capped off the Celtics’ 8th straight championship, an NBA record that still stands. It was also Red Auerbach’s final game as head coach. Sam Jones scored 22 points, and Bill Russell added 25 rebounds to fend off a strong Lakers push. The aging Celtics had to dig deep, holding off the younger Lakers and preserving the dynasty one final time under Auerbach’s leadership.
3. 2010 Lakers
Game: Celtics at Lakers, 2010
Spread: Lakers (-6.5)
Result: LAL, 83-79
The Celtics won the title in 2008.
The Lakers won the title in 2009.
In 2010, they met in the finals, and they alternated wins through Game 4, tied 2-2. Game 5, Celtics won at home, Game 6 Lakers won at home and then Game 7 was in L.A. as well.
In a gritty Game 7, the Lakers won their 16th title, avenging their 2008 Finals loss to Boston. Kobe Bryant struggled shooting (6-for-24) but grabbed 15 rebounds and hit clutch free throws late. Pau Gasol was dominant inside, and Ron Artest hit a critical late three. This win gave Phil Jackson his 11th championship and cemented Kobe’s legacy with his 5th ring.
