Thunder vs. Pacers: Expert Reviews and Predictions for the 2025 NBA Finals

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June 03, 2025

The 2025 NBA Finals are set, and it’s a showdown between two electrifying teams with very different paths. The Indiana Pacers have stunned the league with a Cinderella run to their first Finals in 25 years, while the Oklahoma City Thunder have bulldozed their way in as the NBA’s top seed.

Can the underdog Pacers pull off one more upset, or will the Thunder complete their dominant season with a title?

Indiana Pacers’ Underdog Run

The Indiana Pacers, the No. 4 seed in the East, have surprised everyone by reaching the NBA Finals for the first time since 2000. Led by Pascal Siakam, the Eastern Conference Finals MVP, they knocked out the New York Knicks in six games to earn their spot.

Playoff Highlights:

Beat the Bucks and Celtics in five games each.
Won six straight road games, just two short of the NBA postseason record.
Finished 11-3 in the playoffs so far.

In Game 6 vs. the Knicks, Siakam scored 31 points, while Tyrese Haliburton added 21 points and 13 assists. The Pacers shot over 51% from three and forced 18 turnovers.

Oklahoma City Thunder’s Dominant Run

The Thunder stormed into the Finals with the NBA’s best regular-season record (68-14) and a 12-4 playoff record. They’ve been elite on both ends, especially defense.

Playoff Highlights:

Swept the Timberwolves 4-1 in the Western Conference Finals.
Clinched the series with a 124-94 blowout win in Game 5.
Their defense led all playoff teams with a 104.7 rating.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams have led the charge, backed by a deep and well-balanced roster. Now, OKC is chasing its first NBA title since moving to Oklahoma City.

Thunder vs. Pacers Prediction

Tip: Thunder to Win

Why Experts Are Picking the Thunder

Steve Aschburner
Steve says the Thunder do everything better than the Pacers. They’re younger, deeper, more skilled, and play better defense. With 68 wins in the regular season and the league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder look like they’re on another level.

Brian Martin
Brian highlights the Thunder’s elite defense, which led the league in efficiency and forced turnovers. He believes OKC’s defenders, like Lu Dort and Jalen Williams, will make life hard for Indiana’s stars. Plus, Shai dominated Indiana during the season.

Shaun Powell
Shaun praises OKC’s defense, depth, and rising stars like Chet Holmgren. He wants an underdog story, but says picking Indiana to win is unrealistic. The Thunder are just too strong and focused.

John Schuhmann
John points out that the Thunder have shut down some of the NBA’s top teams in the playoffs. Their defense has been outstanding, and their all-around play gives them the edge over the Pacers on both ends of the floor.

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