2025 NBA FINALS: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #4 Indiana Pacers (Series tied 2-2)

[Iwasawitness]

I was already clear which teams I think could beat OKC, and you know that. But here;

2012 Heat
2014 Spurs
2016/17 GSW would destroy them
2018 Raptors
2021 Nuggets
2024 Celtics

And I would include the '24 Mavericks given the fact that they actually beat them

Your turn, which teams do you think can beat OKC?

I actually didn't know that, because I must have missed your post explaining this. But now that I'm seeing it...

2012 Heat: No. Not enough depth and LeBron still hadn't developed a consistent enough jumper. 2013 Heat I could definitely see beating them.

2014 Spurs: that would be a fun series. Could definitely see the Spurs winning this.

2017 Warriors: Yes.

2018 Raptors: is this trolling?

2021 Nuggets: Again, has to be trolling.

2024 Celtics: this would be an interesting series, could go either way.

2024 Mavericks: they didn't actually beat them. This current thunder team has Caruso and Hartenstein along with more internal improvement and experience. That's a pretty big difference.

In regards to who I think would beat them? 2013 Heat, 2014 Spurs and 2017 Warriors are the only ones I feel comfortable saying could win.

And will your list change if the Pacers beat them? Or will you just add them?

Probably stay the same.

[greekman]

the problem with okc is that they have little talent outside sga. there i said it.

[Lunartic]

I actually didn't know that, because I must have missed your post explaining this. But now that I'm seeing it...

2012 Heat: No. Not enough depth and LeBron still hadn't developed a consistent enough jumper. 2013 Heat I could definitely see beating them.

2014 Spurs: that would be a fun series. Could definitely see the Spurs winning this.

2017 Warriors: Yes.

2018 Raptors: is this trolling?

2021 Nuggets: Again, has to be trolling.

2024 Celtics: this would be an interesting series, could go either way.

2024 Mavericks: they didn't actually beat them. This current thunder team has Caruso and Hartenstein along with more internal improvement and experience. That's a pretty big difference.

In regards to who I think would beat them? 2013 Heat, 2014 Spurs and 2017 Warriors are the only ones I feel comfortable saying could win.

And will your list change if the Pacers beat them? Or will you just add them?

Probably stay the same.

Which would imply the Pacers are one of the greatest finals teams ever?

[Beethoven]

Pacers has to win game 4 in order to have a minimal chance of winning the series.

[Iwasawitness]

I was already clear which teams I think could beat OKC, and you know that. But here;

2012 Heat
2014 Spurs
2016/17 GSW would destroy them
2018 Raptors
2021 Nuggets
2024 Celtics

And I would include the '24 Mavericks given the fact that they actually beat them

Your turn, which teams do you think can beat OKC?

I actually didn't know that, because I must have missed your post explaining this. But now that I'm seeing it...

2012 Heat: No. Not enough depth and LeBron still hadn't developed a consistent enough jumper. 2013 Heat I could definitely see beating them.

2014 Spurs: that would be a fun series. Could definitely see the Spurs winning this.

2017 Warriors: Yes.

2018 Raptors: is this trolling?

2021 Nuggets: Again, has to be trolling.

2024 Celtics: this would be an interesting series, could go either way.

2024 Mavericks: they didn't actually beat them. This current thunder team has Caruso and Hartenstein along with more internal improvement and experience. That's a pretty big difference.

In regards to who I think would beat them? 2013 Heat, 2014 Spurs and 2017 Warriors are the only ones I feel comfortable saying could win.

Raptors had Kawhi, Gasol, Ibaka, Pascal, Lowry, Norm, Fred, Green and OG. That’s a deeper team than OKC with numerous all-stars. They also had a much tougher path than OKC did. Yes, they could beat them.

First off, that's the 2019 Raptors. The 2018 Raptors got swept by the 51 win Cavs in the second round.

Second, I do love me some 2019 Raptors. That team was awesome. But I give a slight edge to the thunder in that series.

[whatisacenter]

Pacers has to win game 4 in order to have a minimal chance of winning the series.

Are you saying that they have to go 3-1 to have any chance at all and that it would be minimal?

Seems to me that they would likely win if they go up 3-1 and have a decent chance if they go 2-2.

[Castle Black]

Pacers in 6, it's over.

OKC can't match Pacers physicality on the road because our bench is terrible. Pacers doing a terrific defensive job on Shai so JDub gotta step up but he's scared to attack.

Game 4 pretty much decides it, and Indiana has home court, all the momentum and all the magic. Pacers in 6 seems correct. I always (literally) bet against my emotions by betting on OKC's opponents but in this series I'm already earmarking ways to spend the money lol. I can't believe OKC remains heavy favorites every game despite how vulnerable OKC has been in close games and how dominant Indiana has been all playoffs. It's easy money.

This is the Pacers year, and God is obviously a Pacers fan if these playoffs have taught us anything. OKC can't overcome God.

And yes, Pacers Finals MVP should be God.

As bad as we need a win tomorrow, even if we went down 3-1, it's feasible the Thunder win 3 in a row. Especially with 2 of those games at home. I still don't see this series going less than 7 either way, but I don't see Indiana winning a game 7 in OKC and I feel in my heart of hearts that's what it's going to come down too. We shall see!

Agreed. Despite being up 2-1, tomorrow's game is actually a must-win for the Pacers imo if they are to have any chance of winning this series. OKC winning 3 in a row with 2 of those games at home is feasible. They would just need one gutsy road win, which they're perfectly capable of.

People can disagree all they want, but the reality is it is highly unlikely that the Pacers would win a Game 7 on the road in OKC. They have to win out at home if they are going to win this series. That's going to be really difficult, but it's the only way they can bring it home imo. If they let it go 7, they're cooked.

[Marrs-Law]

I would agree that game 4 will probably determine the series. Indy could win games 5 & 7 on the road, but that seems unlikely with OKC's 68-win road dominance. OKC could also come back 3-1, but I can't imagine this Indiana team, with all their grit and confidence (and Carsile adjustments), drops three in a row.

As for G4, I'm thinking that Indy has seemed to have figured out the Thunder defense a little bit. They will need to continue to improve upon that to win. It certainly felt like OKC (and Shai) had a really bad game offensively. It is hard to ask for against the MVP, but Indy will need to counter OKC's adjustments and continue to stifle OKC offensively. I do worry because the thread of the series seems to suggest that OKC wins (as against Denver); Indy will need to buck that trend.

Both teams should be really locked in for game four, I hope. It should be a good game. May the best team win

[Iwasawitness]

And will your list change if the Pacers beat them? Or will you just add them?

Probably stay the same.

Which would imply the Pacers are one of the greatest finals teams ever?

Not necessarily, but they're definitely a lot better than I think we're giving them credit for.

We're also writing off the Thunder way too quickly. I think we should at least wait and see what happens in game 4 before we start drawing any conclusions.

My only point in this entire fiasco is that no matter what happens here, the 2011 Miami Heat are not in any way shape or form better than the Thunder, and the only way you could possibly think this is if you just started watching basketball for the first time and have no understanding of how the sport works.

[SA37]

I'll be interested to see what adjustments OKC makes for game 4. I'd like to see Wallace/Caruso look for their shot just a bit more. I thought when Chet and Jalen Williams were aggressive attacking their defenders a lot of good things happened, ie they got Indiana in foul trouble and got 20 free throws between them. OKC needs more of that and less watching SGA go 1 v 5.

For the Pacers, they still need to cut down on sloppy turnovers/unforced errors. I can't remember Siakam getting around anyone and getting to the basket when he catches around the 3-point line; I'd like to see him catch the ball at the elbow, take a dribble and go up strong. Mathurin on SGA was a disaster for the Pacers, but he did ok against Jalen Williams.

[Beethoven]

Pacers has to win game 4 in order to have a minimal chance of winning the series.

Are you saying that they have to go 3-1 to have any chance at all and that it would be minimal?

Seems to me that they would likely win if they go up 3-1 and have a decent chance if they go 2-2.

Yes that's what I mean.

(If you say it the way you believe it to be,we will jinx it)

[Chuck Everett]

The bullseye is squarely on Daigneault. Game is winnable, but what will he do? Will he instill confidence in his bunch or will he panic again?

[Castle Black]

I'll be interested to see what adjustments OKC makes for game 4. I'd like to see Wallace/Caruso look for their shot just a bit more. I thought when Chet and Jalen Williams were aggressive attacking their defenders a lot of good things happened, ie they got Indiana in foul trouble and got 20 free throws between them. OKC needs more of that and less watching SGA go 1 v 5.

For the Pacers, they still need to cut down on sloppy turnovers/unforced errors. I can't remember Siakam getting around anyone and getting to the basket when he catches around the 3-point line; I'd like to see him catch the ball at the elbow, take a dribble and go up strong. Mathurin on SGA was a disaster for the Pacers, but he did ok against Jalen Williams.

They will definitely play their big lineup more moving forward imo. And it will be effective.

Read on Twitter

[Handlez]

How often do you see a team change their starting lineup after making the finals?

I don't recall it happening.

[Los_29]

I actually didn't know that, because I must have missed your post explaining this. But now that I'm seeing it...

2012 Heat: No. Not enough depth and LeBron still hadn't developed a consistent enough jumper. 2013 Heat I could definitely see beating them.

2014 Spurs: that would be a fun series. Could definitely see the Spurs winning this.

2017 Warriors: Yes.

2018 Raptors: is this trolling?

2021 Nuggets: Again, has to be trolling.

2024 Celtics: this would be an interesting series, could go either way.

2024 Mavericks: they didn't actually beat them. This current thunder team has Caruso and Hartenstein along with more internal improvement and experience. That's a pretty big difference.

In regards to who I think would beat them? 2013 Heat, 2014 Spurs and 2017 Warriors are the only ones I feel comfortable saying could win.

Raptors had Kawhi, Gasol, Ibaka, Pascal, Lowry, Norm, Fred, Green and OG. That’s a deeper team than OKC with numerous all-stars. They also had a much tougher path than OKC did. Yes, they could beat them.

First off, that's the 2019 Raptors. The 2018 Raptors got swept by the 51 win Cavs in the second round.

Second, I do love me some 2019 Raptors. That team was awesome. But I give a slight edge to the thunder in that series.

2018-19 team I was referring to. I’m not sure why he would refer to the team that got beat in the 2nd round. lol.

I think OKC would be in tough. On paper they get beat quite handily. Raptors certainly wouldn’t struggle with the current Denver squad.

[Lunartic]

Probably stay the same.

Which would imply the Pacers are one of the greatest finals teams ever?

Not necessarily, but they're definitely a lot better than I think we're giving them credit for.

We're also writing off the Thunder way too quickly. I think we should at least wait and see what happens in game 4 before we start drawing any conclusions.

My only point in this entire fiasco is that no matter what happens here, the 2011 Miami Heat are not in any way shape or form better than the Thunder, and the only way you could possibly think this is if you just started watching basketball for the first time and have no understanding of how the sport works.

There's no need to be dismissive especially when a multitude of posters on here seem to be strongly disagreeing with you. Yes, yes you've been watching since the 1970's and that's why you think the OKC can't possibly lose to anyone.

Generally, the team with the best player wins the series. LeBron in his MIA days is very much better than SGA. Bosh is better than any big on OKC and washed up Wade was still as good as anyone not named SGA on the Thunder.

If the Thunder are truly as good as you say and can only be beaten by GOAT level finals teams, why the evasiveness around the Pacers? Surely, that means they're GOAT level if they win, no? They would be placed amongst the best finals teams ever?

But no, according to you - if they beat this nearly unbeatable OKC team they're just "better than I thought"

Mystifying

[Optms]

Is it time to put Caruso on Siakam?

[baldur]

Is it time to put Caruso on Siakam?

it is time to play holmgren and hartenstein together.

[doogie_hauser]

Is it time to put Caruso on Siakam?

it is time to play holmgren and hartenstein together.

Not sure if that is going to work against all of the versatile Pacer Wings.

They have done a real good job containing both of those big guys (The Pacers)

Rick Carlisle has done his homework and managed to exploit both Chet and IHart's weaknesses

[Nuntius]

Still don't understand the Vegas odds. OKC looks super tired and wasn't good at all on the road during the playoffs except for game 4 against the Wolves and we barely won. Vegas giving us more chances to win road games against Indiana than against Denver or Minny...doesn't make any sense to me after what we saw in game 3. Feels like the Pacers are more underrated than OKC is overrated if that makes some sense. Momentum shifted and the line is stucked.

...that being said I hope Vegas is right

Vegas odds aren't supposed to be predictive. They are just a reflection of what people are betting. And, yeah, the general public does underrate the Pacers because they have no recognizable star. This is what is skewing the odds and it has been happening all playoffs.