Oklahoma City Thunder heavy favorites over Indiana Pacers ahead of 2025 NBA Finals

The Oklahoma City Thunder face the Indiana Pacers as the 2025 NBA Finals tips off this week! After finishing the season with an NBA-best 68-14 record, the Thunder have an opportunity to cap off a historic campaign with a title but the Pacers are hoping to pull off another upset.

Led by NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (league-high 32.7 points per game), Oklahoma City boasts a balanced offense and the NBA's best defense. The Thunder used a dominant win over the Minnesota Timberwolves to clinch a berth in the NBA Finals for the first time since 2012.

Oklahoma City is searching for the second championship in franchise history and they are heavy favorites (-750) to win it all according to FanDuel Sportsbook. With that said, the Pacers possess a high-powered and up-tempo offense that has proven they are a legitimate title contenders.

Despite opening as sizable underdogs, Indiana can't be overlooked because Tyrese Haliburton (third in NBA with 9.2 assists per game) and company continue to overcome the odds. Both teams will look to pick up a win and inch closer to a championship in Game 1 on Thursday.

Thunder playoff stats leaders

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 29.8 points, 6.9 assists

Jalen Williams: 20.4 points, 5.8 rebounds

Chet Holmgren: 16.4 points, 8.6 rebounds

Isaiah Hartenstein: 9.2 points, 7.9 rebounds

Alex Caruso: 8.8 points, 1.8 steals

Pacers playoff stats leaders

Pascal Siakam: 21.1 points, 5.8 rebounds

Tyrese Haliburton: 18.8 points, 9.8 assists

Myles Turner: 15.2 points, 2.3 blocks

Aaron Nesmith: 14.1 points, 5.6 rebounds

Andrew Nembhard: 12.8 points, 5.1 assists

NBA Finals schedule

Game 1: June 5

Game 2: June 8

Game 3: June 11

Game 4: June 13

Game 5: June 16

Game 6: June 19

Game 7: June 22

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