The 2025 NBA Finals is getting interesting already! The Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder have fought tooth-and-nail, with each team winning a game apiece after two amazing contests. This silly little series has come up with some doozies, mind boggling statistical anomalies. Fans and analysts both eager to watch, as these outliers illuminate the different strengths and approaches of both teams so far.
In Game 1, the Pacers turned the ball over an incredible 25 times. That was the most turnovers by a team that won a game in the Finals since 1977. The Thunder took advantage, converting the Pacers’ turnovers into 14 points. This remarkable number ties for the second-most turnovers the Pacers have forced in a game this season. This strange trend only underscores the hardness of these Finals and promises more grit to come in a hard fought series.
Thunder’s Free Throw Advantage
And the Thunder have had a Finals series, in this regard, with free throws as a crutch, averaging 25.0 per game on the line. This is no small feat, as this figure represents a staggering increase. Their free throw ratio per field goal attempt (FTA/FGA) is 51% better than their regular season average. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander gets a shout-out here for his impact on this rarely discussed but important area of the game. Of note, he’s accounted for a ridiculous 36% of the Thunder’s total free throws.
In Game 2, the Thunder showed the world why they led the league in free throws made by converting on 29 attempts. That stellar effort ranks as the third-highest total they’ve posted during a single game in 2023. Putting an emphasis on getting to the charity stripe has reaped dividends for Oklahoma City. This strategy maintains consistent pressure on the Pacers, affecting both their offensive and defensive sets.
The difference in free throw attempts has impacted the pace of the games. The Pacers averaged a league best 30.0 makes from two in the regular season while hitting a blistering 56.6% from inside the arc. They have a propensity to fail to carry this success into the Finals. The combination of fewer successful baskets and increased defensive pressure from the Thunder has forced Indiana to adapt their strategy.
Defensive Dominance and Turnover Trends
Just watch how viciously and intelligently the Oklahoma City Thunder played defense in both Finals games. Overall, they averaged an exceptional 12.0 steals per game. This figure starkly contrasts with the Indiana Pacers’ usual average of 7.3 steals allowed per game, reflecting a shift in dynamics as both teams vie for control.
The Pacers’ turnover issues look worse when stacked against their greatly lost offensive efficiency. In the past five seasons combined, excluding the playoffs, they averaged 43.3 makes a game in the regular season. In the Finals, they’ve been limited to making just 38.0. They’ve had their share of struggles, but their assists per made bucket have ticked up slightly from 66.9% to 67.3%. This is a sign that, when he scores, it’s often because he’s bringing his teammates along with him.
It’s just a staggering current combined average of 44.5 assists per game between the two teams in the Finals. This figure has fallen well below their applications season norms. Those assists created shots, the Pacers are leading the league with 29.0 APG. At the same time, the Thunder are contributing 26.5 assists, indicative of how both teams are effectively navigating overwhelming pressure defenses to find open shots.
Scoring Struggles for Pacers
The one major surprise coming into the Finals has been the Indiana Pacers sudden plunge in their scoring production. During the regular season, they scored an average of 117.2 points per game. That number has decreased to just 109.0 points per game in the first two contests of this series. Their lack of scoring is due to their inability to finish chances. All of this has happened while Oklahoma City’s defense has dramatically increased its own performance level.
Pascal Siakam remains an incredibly underrated non-farmer player. That puts him 18th in the league, averaging 6.2 made two-pointers per game. His performance is a perfect illustration of the Pacers’ plan this season. They are the least three-point shooting team in the league’s focus. Unfortunately, even Siakam’s scoring burst has not been enough to improve Indiana’s overall scoring effectiveness in these pivotal Finals matchups.
As both teams prepare for Game 3 of this tightly contested series, statistics indicate that adaptations will be necessary for both sides. Limiting their turnover woes and creating ways to make their scoring chances will be an absolute must if the Pacers want any chance at keeping pace. The Thunder need to continue to play with defensive aggression. They must capitalize on opportunities at the free throw line to stay successful.
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