This is it. Win and you’re etched in NBA history as a champion, lose and you go home empty-handed.

Catch the game tomorrow at 8:00 AM, Manila time.

AWAY: Indiana Pacers (3-3)

Projected starting five:

• Tyrese Haliburton
• Andrew Nembhard
• Aaron Nesmith
• Pascal Siakam
• Myles Turner

The Pacers simply played with an enormous sense of urgency in Game 6 to collect the 108-91 victory. After a slow first few minutes that saw them go down 10-2, the engines were fired up and they never looked back, and even led by as much as 30.

In what feels like a routine already, six Pacers scored in double figures, with the leading point-getter, Obi Toppin, just reaching 20 points, which he only did in garbage time.

Toppin will remain in a supporting role, but we have all seen all year long, especially in this postseason, you just never know with this Indy offense. Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam, Myles Turner, Andrew Nembhard, TJ McConnell, Aaron Nesmith, Ben Mathurin, and Toppin himself may all be positioned to be featured in the attack.

There’s concern about Haliburton’s injury and how he gets taken out of the flow, either through their schemes or OKC’s defense, but it’s all about building rhythm and, at the very least, allowing themselves to be within striking distance at all times.

The Pacers are the only East team to beat the Thunder in Oklahoma over the last 1.5 seasons, but all they should be thinking about now is executing their game.

HOME: Oklahoma City Thunder (3-3)

Projected starting five:

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
• Luguentz Dort
• Jalen Williams
• Chet Holmgren
• Isaiah Hartenstein

The Thunder couldn’t match the Pacers’ energy in Game 6 beyond the first four minutes. Both Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams were unable to get it going too, and there was no way they could win in such a scenario, which was pretty clear as they put up a season-low 91 points. The good thing is they are back home for this do-or-die – regardless of any trend, it doesn’t hurt to be on your floor for a Game 7.

Expect OKC to be in their bread and butter – put the ball in the hands of MVP and scoring champion Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, have Jalen Williams be the added reliable scoring machine, hound the opposition with their list of pesky perimeter defenders (SGA, Williams, Alex Caruso, Lu Dort, Cason Wallace, etc.), and clog the lane with their twin towers, Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein. 

OKC didn’t compile a league-best 68 games and led various offensive and defensive rankings with those factors for nothing. Watch out for Caruso too, a one-time champion – he’s got something in his chamber, posting a couple of 20-point games in this series after not having one all season.

PICKS:

Spread: Thunder (-7)

Over/Under: Under (215)