The term "Game 7" in sports is probably the best two words that a true fan can hear. Even if you are not a fan of the teams themselves, there is just something magical about the idea that your whole season comes down to one game. Two evenly matched teams go head-to-head for all the marbles. But, for a sports bettor it can be maddening or very profitable, depending on which angles you follow.
It doesn't take a genius to understand that Game 7's will always favor the home team. They are the better regular season team, which is why they have the final game on their home court, ice or whatever. People love the underdogs though, they probably shouldn't in these spots. The home team is hitting almost 75% over the past 50 NBA Game 7 scenarios.
While that might not shock many people, the against the numbers cover rate probably will. The team with home court advantage is hitting 60% against the spread on the final playoff home game. What's even more reassuring for home team bettors is the spread has been on average more than two baskets. These are sizeable lines with a very long history of covering.
It's much the same in the NHL where there have been just under 200 NHL Game 7's in playoff history, while 17 of those have come as a game 7 in the Stanley Cup Finals. The numbers might not be as pronounced as the NBA side of things, but there is another angle for ice bettors. That is the Game 7 under. The Under in Game 7 in the NHL playoffs have been hitting at a near 65% clip since keeping track.
So, while we might not get a Game 7 in the NBA or NHL playoff games this year, fans and bettors alike hope that we do. The fans will enjoy the energy and fever of a Game 7 atmosphere, but bettors know they have a pretty a good angle to make some money as well.