It’s a long run-up to arguably the most surprising 2025 NBA Finals imaginable, starring the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers. Get ready for a truly historic series! For the first time since 2007, both teams come into the Finals without any Christmas Day exposure. The Finals are scheduled to start on June 5, 2025, at Oklahoma City’s Paycom Center. From there, the action will shift to Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis for Game 3.
The Thunder’s stout defense, ranked first overall during the regular season, has garnered national headlines this postseason, and for good reason. Their defensive efficiency has been historic, giving up just 104.7 points per 100 plays for the entirety of the playoffs. This much-heralded defensive show has powered their run to the Finals.
Thunder’s Defensive Dominance
Oklahoma City’s defense, often overlooked in conversation about their success this postseason, has been the foundation of their success. Their opponents averaged an impressive 18.0 turnovers per game against them, which Quincy converted into 23.8 points per game on the other end! Their jaw-dropping turnover margin of 6.4 is noteworthy. It would establish a new high turnover edge for any team to ever have played multiple series since the league began tracking them in the 1973-74 season.
Led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who averaged 29.8 points and 6.9 assists per game during the postseason, the Thunder have proven to be a formidable opponent. Gilgeous-Alexander’s standout performances have often been pivotal, including a remarkable 35-point outing in Game 7 against the Denver Nuggets, where Oklahoma City secured a 32-point victory.
The Thunder’s propensity to fail when it matters most in clutch situations has been put on blast all postseason long. They put critics to rest with two nail-biting victories to end the season. This was a testament to their creativity and ability to execute under pressure.
Pacers’ Rising Stars
On the other side of the court, the Indiana Pacers have proven grit and playmaking during their entire playoff run. Tyrese Haliburton is the most valuable player to the Indiana Pacers. Currently, he’s averaging 18.8 points, 9.8 assists and 5.7 rebounds per game through the playoffs. Haliburton has had a tough time against the Thunder, averaging just 12 points in those meetings. He’s still the most important player to his team’s success.
Pascal Siakam has played a huge role in this playoff run. He clinched the Conference Finals MVP title by scoring more than 30 points in three games of the series. His scoring prowess will be important as the Pacers will need every bucket to keep up with the Thunder’s offensive firepower.
Defensively, the Pacers have feasted in clutch situations this entire postseason. Their 7-1 mark in games decided by five or fewer points is very admirable. This resilience will be tested against the Thunder’s defense, as they cannot afford to lose the turnover battle by such significant margins as previous opponents.
Key Matchup Factors
We, along with both teams, cannot wait for such an exciting Finals to unfold. A few important variables will decide the winner of this exciting battle. If the Thunder want to come close to their defensive efficiency, that’ll be the key. In their most recent contest, they hit a blistering 17 three-pointers. Lu Dort had the most with six, although Isaiah Joe was a major spark off the bench, contributing five.
Indiana needs to step up their game. They are doing so against a stout defense that has already stymied many an opponent. Haliburton has had a hard time against Oklahoma City in previous seasons. Indy needs to make macro-level strategic adjustments in order to maximize his off-ball playmaking.
Both teams have shown their ability to engage in high-scoring affairs and blowouts. The Thunder have now won at least one game by 30 or more points in every series this postseason. This further proves their ability to put on dominating performances.
“I knew that they were going to bring greatness out of us.” – Alex Caruso
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