NBA Finals 2025: Pacers vs. Thunder Predictions & Picks
- The Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers are set to clash in the 2025 NBA Finals.
- For the Thunder, maintaining their fierce defense is paramount.
- Bryan armen Graham suggests that setting the tempo and pressuring Tyrese Haliburton will be key for the Thunder.
teh 2025 NBA Finals are set! News directory 3 has the inside scoop on the Oklahoma City Thunder versus the Indiana Pacers. This series promises a clash of styles: the Thunder’s suffocating defense, led by potential MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, against the pacers’ fast-paced, high-scoring offense. To win, the Thunder must shut down Tyrese haliburton and Pascal Siakam while maintaining their defensive intensity and consistent shooting. Indiana,on the other hand,needs stellar performances from their stars and to limit those all-crucial turnovers. Will the Thunder’s defense prevail,or will the pacers’ speed prove too much? Discover what’s next …
NBA Finals 2025: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Indiana Pacers – Keys to Victory
Updated June 5, 2025
The Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers are set to clash in the 2025 NBA Finals. Both teams have strengths that could dictate the outcome of the series. Here’s a look at what each team needs to do to secure the championship.
For the Thunder, maintaining their fierce defense is paramount. Their aggressive, switchable style has stifled opponents all season. Ryan Baldi said that if they keep that up, and with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scoring his usual 32 points a night, they will be hard to stop.Consistent jump shooting is also crucial for oklahoma City. Claire de Lune noted that their shooting has been their onyl weakness, and if their shots fall, they will likely win the title.
Bryan armen Graham suggests that setting the tempo and pressuring Tyrese Haliburton will be key for the Thunder. Oklahoma City thrives on dictating pace and forcing turnovers, which could disrupt Indiana’s disciplined offense.andrew Lawrence added that if the Thunder can shut down Haliburton and Pascal Siakam and convert those stops into easy points, they will control the series.
Fast Guide
NBA finals 2025
Show
Schedule
Best-of-seven-games series. All times US eastern time (EDT).
Thu 5 Jun Game 1: Pacers at Thunder, 8.30pm
Sun 8 Jun Game 2: Pacers at Thunder, 8pm
Wed 11 Jun Game 3: Thunder at Pacers, 8.30pm
Fri 13 Jun Game 4: Thunder at Pacers, 8.30pm
Mon 16 Jun Game 5: Pacers at Thunder,8.30pm*
thu 19 Jun Game 6: Thunder at Pacers, 8.30pm*
Sun 22 Jun Game 7: Pacers at Thunder, 8pm*
*-if necessary
How to watch
In the US, all games will air on ABC. Streaming options include ABC.com or the ABC app (with a participating TV provider login), as well as Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, fuboTV, DIRECTV STREAM, and Sling TV (via ESPN3 for ABC games). NBA League Pass offers replays, but live finals games are subject to blackout restrictions in the US.
In the UK,the games will be available on TNT Sports and Finding+. As for streaming, NBA League Pass will provide live and on-demand access to all Finals games without blackout restrictions.
In Australia, the games will broadcast live on ESPN Australia. Kayo Sports and Foxtel Now will stream the games live, while NBA League Pass will offer live and on-demand access without blackout restrictions.
On the other side, the Pacers need to maintain their fast-paced style and protect the ball. Baldi notes that they are remarkably good at this, boasting the third-lowest turnover rate in the league. Though, they face a team that excels at forcing turnovers. De Lune suggests that the Pacers need sensational performances from Siakam and Haliburton nightly. They must also avoid turnovers, something the Thunder are adept at creating.
What’s next
The NBA Finals 2025 promises an exciting clash between the Oklahoma City Thunder’s dominant defense and the Indiana Pacers’ high-octane offense. The series will hinge on which team can impose their style of play and execute their game plan effectively.