2025 NBA FINALS: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #4 Indiana Pacers (IND leads 1-0)

[MoneyTalks41890]

I’m very curious as to how OKC is going to deal with Siakam. He’s been a major matchup problem throughout the playoffs, and I see no reason as to why he doesn’t have his way with Chet in this one. And that depth of Indy is going to be unlike anything OKC has ever dealt with.

On the other side though, OKC is going to be without question the toughest defensive resistance Indy will be facing in these playoffs. It’ll be interesting to see what Indy does if they’re struggling with the perimeter defensive pressure.

SGA vs Haliburton is going to be a war. Can’t wait to see it.

If I was OKC I’d bench Hartenstein and start Chet. Chet guard Turner, JDub guard Pascal, Caruso guards him when he comes in.

The numbers show they should’ve been doing that during the Minnesota series too.

So I expect the two bigs to start.

[JujitsuFlip]

Isn't it wild both teams were built on the back of trading away Paul George?

[Special_Puppy]

Third straight finals where people go “hey this is going to be fun!” And then its a gentleman sweep with no suspense

[VicG]

OKC is favored -800 and favored to cover -2.5 games

Are they really that dominant? I kinda doubt they are worthy of those kinda odds

Including the playoffs they are 80-18. They had the highest point differential in NBA history. They are the most dominant team we’ve seen since the KD warriors

[Syd-TK3]

I like the Pacers but I think OKC gives them a reality check

[Castle Black]

Problem for Indiana is they don’t have anyone remotely close to sga.

Yup. Pacers don't even have a top-10 player on their roster. OKC are simply better (by a wide margin), more talented, and deeper + they can run with the Pacers. And they have HCA too. This one won't be close. Nightmare matchup for Indy.

[knicksfan974]

Expecting the Thunder to completely take away the leak outs that killed the Knicks time and time again. Scoring consistently playing 5-on-5 against the Thunder defense will be tough task for the Pacers (especially Haliburton who I expect the Thunder to try to completely suffocate), but if they keep up the good shooting perfomance I'm sure they can hang in there for a game or two. Thunder in 5.

[RookieStar]

Both teams relying on their guard heavy lineups... interestig to see...

[Ill News]

I'm happy for both teams making it, I just hope it'll be a fun finals.

To quote from The Dark Knight, this is basically when an unstoppable force (the Pacers' go-go-go offense) meets an immovable object (the Thunder's formidable defense). Styles make fights, so whose style will win out?

[Chuck Everett]

Thunder in 6, but OKC better not lose a home game, otherwise it could get spooky.

[BrianInPhilly]

Didn't realize they have so much rest in between games ... should be every other day in my opinion

Thunder obv heavy favorite. I question a couple guys on the Pacers bench right now such as McConnel & Mathurin (inconsistent energy); Pacers need Haliburton-Nembhard-Nesmith to avoid foul trouble which is tough vs OKC

[jowglenn]

THE PACERS ARE DIVINELY INSPIRED. GOD HAS PERFORMED THREE MIRACLE COMEBACKS ALREADY AND WILL NOW PERFORM THE GREATEST MIRACLE OF ALL

[TravisScott55]

I think Pacers are being a bit underrated here, I think this series go 6. OKC in 6.

[Tim_Hardawayy]

It's hard to tell how teams with really dominant team identities will clash with each other. Pacers play really fast, and OKC is a really fast and deep team. Either the speed and ball movement will be kryponite to OKC's defense, or OKC's propensity to turn teams over will actually act as a multiplier against a team that moves the ball a lot (more movement equals more passes and more opportunities for turnovers). If OKC's turnover machine can force Indiana into 1 on 1 offense with minimal passing, OKC wins easy. If Indiana can work their offense to break down OKC's defense, they can win it.

I really don't know. Good luck Pacers fans. I love yall now but hate yall going forward.

Said this on the Heat board, but this reminds me of the 2012 Finals, except OKC is in Miami's role now as the young but slightly more experienced squad that is a bit more known for D, with the Pacers as the young up and comer (2012 Thunder) trying to prevent the current Thunder from establishing themselves.

[Mr Puddles]

My first instinct is OKC but I feel like I'm dismissing the Pacers consistency and resilience too easily. They've knocked off some really good teams, have great depth/coaching/selflessness.

At the same time, where the Pacers have been amazingly consistent, OKC's peak has been higher. Their defense has been absolutely stifling, and I feel they have all the necessary ingredients to completely grind down the Pacers.

This is tougher than I initially thought. Gun to my head: Suns in 4

[web123888]

Great story. Thunder will win in a landslide. Bad matchup for the Pacers.

[Patches Perry]

It's hard to tell how teams with really dominant team identities will clash with each other. Pacers play really fast, and OKC is a really fast and deep team. Either the speed and ball movement will be kryponite to OKC's defense, or OKC's propensity to turn teams over will actually act as a multiplier against a team that moves the ball a lot (more movement equals more passes and more opportunities for turnovers). If OKC's turnover machine can force Indiana into 1 on 1 offense with minimal passing, OKC wins easy. If Indiana can work their offense to break down OKC's defense, they can win it.

I really don't know. Good luck Pacers fans. I love yall now but hate yall going forward.

Said this on the Heat board, but this reminds me of the 2012 Finals, except OKC is in Miami's role now as the young but slightly more experienced squad that is a bit more known for D, with the Pacers as the young up and comer (2012 Thunder) trying to prevent the current Thunder from establishing themselves.

I think Indiana has the experience advantage although slight. Caruso has a title but so does Siakam. The big difference in experience is the coaches. If Carlisle can find a pitch that OKC can't hit, and Daigs can't adjust, it could get ugly. I think it could also resemble the 2011 finals, where OKC comes in the heavy favorite while Carlisle has a team-of-destiny playing incredible basketball coming into the finals.

It's hard to tell how it will play out. I guess that's why they play the games.

[Memories]

This last NBA on TNT game is still emotional as hell to me.

[ball_takes23]

It's hard to tell how teams with really dominant team identities will clash with each other. Pacers play really fast, and OKC is a really fast and deep team. Either the speed and ball movement will be kryponite to OKC's defense, or OKC's propensity to turn teams over will actually act as a multiplier against a team that moves the ball a lot (more movement equals more passes and more opportunities for turnovers). If OKC's turnover machine can force Indiana into 1 on 1 offense with minimal passing, OKC wins easy. If Indiana can work their offense to break down OKC's defense, they can win it.

I really don't know. Good luck Pacers fans. I love yall now but hate yall going forward.

Said this on the Heat board, but this reminds me of the 2012 Finals, except OKC is in Miami's role now as the young but slightly more experienced squad that is a bit more known for D, with the Pacers as the young up and comer (2012 Thunder) trying to prevent the current Thunder from establishing themselves.

I think Indiana has the experience advantage although slight. Caruso has a title but so does Siakam. The big difference in experience is the coaches. If Carlisle can find a pitch that OKC can't hit, and Daigs can't adjust, it could get ugly. I think it could also resemble the 2011 finals, where OKC comes in the heavy favorite while Carlisle has a team-of-destiny playing incredible basketball coming into the finals.

It's hard to tell how it will play out. I guess that's why they play the games.

2011 finals was a matchup of 58 vs 57 win teams. Miami was a -180 or so favorite, not remotely comparable to this years finals

[wang000hk]

Thunder in 6
I am rooting for Pacers and I hope I will be surprised by the result