The Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder have an interesting clash of styles on paper. Will it live up to the hype?
Catch the game tomorrow at AM, Manila time.
AWAY: Indiana Pacers (0-0)
Projected starting five:
- Tyrese Haliburton
- Andrew Nembhard
- Aaron Nesmith
- Pascal Siakam
- Myles Turner
The Cinderella Pacers complete their improbable Finals run after knocking off three powerhouse Eastern Conference opponents – Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Milwaukee Bucks in the first round, the 64-win Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round, and the likewise momentum-filled New York Knicks in the Conference Finals. Indiana’s free-flowing, team-first offense faces its toughest test yet against the league’s best defense.
While the Pacers dropped both regular season meetings to OKC with Tyrese Haliburton (11.5 PPG) and Pascal Siakam (16.5 PPG) struggling, they remain the last East team to win in Oklahoma City – a 15-month-old blueprint they’ll try to replicate.
Haliburton’s playmaking, Siakam’s two-way versatility and Myles Turner’s floor-spacing must shine, but Indiana’s depth could be the difference-maker. Andrew Nembhard’s steady hand, TJ McConnell’s energy, Ben Mathurin’s scoring bursts and Obi Toppin’s athleticism must all contribute to counter OKC’s star power.
HOME: Oklahoma City Thunder (0-0)
Projected starting five:
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- Luguentz Dort
- Jalen Williams
- Chet Holmgren
- Isaiah Hartenstein
The Thunder enter their first Finals since 2012 as heavy favorites after a dominant 68-win season, historical +12.8 net rating in the regular season, and a relatively smooth playoff path. The recently crowned NBA MVP and scoring champ Shai Gilgeous-Alexander torched Indiana for 39.0 PPG on 55.6% shooting in their regular season matchups and headlines a devastating three-headed monster with Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren.
OKC’s elite defense – anchored by Holmgren and Isiah Hartenstein inside, with All-Defensive guards Alex Caruso and Lu Dort, plus rising pesky defender Cason Wallace hounding perimeter players – presents Indiana’s biggest challenge. The Thunder’s balanced attack and home-court advantage make them formidable, but they can’t overlook a Pacers team that’s thrived as underdogs throughout these playoffs. With SGA looking to cement his superstar status and Holmgren eager to dominate both ends, OKC aims to set the tone in Game 1.
PICKS:
Spread: Thunder (-9.5)
Over/Under: Under (230.5)
