The Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers will face off in Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals on Thursday June 5th at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma.  Both teams are coming off impressive victories in the Western and Eastern Finals, as Oklahoma outperformed the Timberwolves, winning the series 4-1 before advancing to the finals.  The Pacers played a strong Knicks squad where the series went to a Game 6.  The Pacers beat New York 125-108 to advance to the finals.

One key aspect of OKC’s road to the finals is their offense. The team is 3rd for the best offensive team in the playoffs right now. Their best player, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, is averaging 29.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 6.9 assists per game during the post season and just won MVP for the regular season. Everyone on the OKC team can shoot from the perimeter, as they are 3rd for the most 3 pointers made and 2nd for the most field goals made this post season.

Another aspect of OKC’s road to the finals is their defense. They have the best defense in the playoffs right now, with a 106.2 DRTG (defensive rating). The Thunder has an average of 10.6 steals per game and their starting power forward Chet Holmgren is averaging 8.6 rebounds per game. One game this postseason where OKC’s defense won the game is Game 1 vs the Timberwolves in the Western Finals. The Thunder had 13 steals and OKC won by 26 points, 114-88.

For the Indiana Pacers, their offense centers around Tyrese Haliburton, who is averaging 18.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 9.8 assists per game this postseason. He has proven that if you give him the ball, he is going to make plays for himself and plays for his teammates. The Pacers are in 2nd for the best offensive team in the playoffs right now as they are averaging 118.8 points per game. Plus you also have to give credit to Pascal Siakam as he is averaging 21.1 points per game this postseason, the most on the Pacers squad.

Another key aspect of the Indiana Pacers is their defense. They’re in 7th place for the best defensive team in the playoffs, which is lower than OKC. The Pacers are averaging a 113.9 DRTG. Their best defensive players are Pascal Siakam and Miles Turner as Siakam is averaging 5.8 rebounds per game and Turner who is averaging 2.2 blocks per game.

I think Oklahoma is going to win the championship over the Indiana Pacers because they’re just the better team overall. They have been blowing out teams in the postseason and they have this year’s MVP who can do everything on the court.  Most importantly, they are the youngest squad in the playoffs right now so they won’t get tired on offense or defense. OKC in 4.