The Oklahoma City Thunder will take on the Indiana Pacers to determine the 2025 NBA Champion. Oklahoma City entered the playoffs with the best record in the league and top seed in the West. Indiana is the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference in their improbable run to the NBA Finals. Oklahoma City began their playoff run by sweeping the Memphis Grizzlies. The Thunder had a much harder time in the second round against Denver. They defeated the Nuggets in seven hard-fought games. In the Western Conference Finals, they discarded the Wolves in five games. Indiana began their run by defeating the Milwaukee Bucks in five games. The Pacers took down the top seeded Cavs in five games also. Indiana beat the Knicks in six games in the Eastern Conference Finals. Which team will finally win their first NBA Championship?

Oklahoma City Thunder

Oklahoma City has been the best team in the league throughout the season. They finished with the best record in the league and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander won league MVP. The Thunder have only three guys averaging double figures in the playoffs. Shai, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren are the three, but they have gotten contributions from everyone. Alex Caruso is averaging a little under nine points, but his defensive contributions have been outstanding. Lu Dort and Isaiah Hartenstein can shine on both sides also. Oklahoma City is healthy as they try to finally bring a championship to their franchise. Oklahoma City is heavily favored in this series, but that doesn’t mean anything. The Thunder is set up for years to come with the young players and draft capital. If they win the championship, we could be looking at the beginning of a dynasty.

Indiana Pacers

Indiana has enjoyed this probable run to the NBA Finals. They reached the Conference Finals a year ago before being swept by the eventual champion Celtics. The Pacers are arguably the deepest team in the league. Tyrese Haliburton and Eastern Conference MVP Pascal Siakam get a lot of the attention, but they have a great team. They have eight players that’s averaging over 8 points per game in the playoffs. Thomas Bryant and Ben Sheppard averaged about three points per game, but they contributed at the right times. The Pacers are about ten deep and will need contributions from them all if they are going to win the championship. Bryant could see his minutes increase from a little under 10 minutes a game in this series. Can the Pacers finally bring a championship to the great state of Indiana?

Who’s Winning Between Oklahoma City and Indiana?

Oklahoma City won both games decisively during the regular season. Oklahoma City’s defense held Haliburton in check, while Gilgeous-Alexander had his way. Aaron Nesmith and Andrew Nembhard have both had amazing playoff runs. Nembhard and Nesmith will defend SGA throughout the series as well as others. Pascal Siakam will have to have a series like the one in the Eastern Conference Finals. Haliburton will have to be aggressive, but the Thunder have some of the best perimeter defenders. Chet Holmgren will likely defend Siakam along with Lu Dort. Myles Turner will have to make impacts on both sides of the court. Indiana will have to have a lot go their way to leave as the NBA champion. Oklahoma City is the favorite for a reason and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the MVP also. I’m going with the Thunder to win in five games. Oklahoma City Win Series 4-1

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