The 2024-25 NBA season has reached its pinnacle: the NBA Finals. Following an intense regular season and a thrilling postseason, the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers are the final two teams left vying for the championship title.
The Oklahoma City Thunder earned their spot in their second franchise Finals appearance by overcoming the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games in the Western Conference finals. Their playoff run was significantly boosted by NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander`s impressive scoring performances. The Thunder aim to secure their first NBA championship since relocating to Oklahoma City (the franchise previously won a title as the Seattle SuperSonics in 1979).
Hailing from the Eastern Conference, the Indiana Pacers punched their ticket to the Finals after an entertaining six-game series victory over the New York Knicks. Key contributions from Eastern Conference finals MVP Pascal Siakam and a standout Game 4 performance from Tyrese Haliburton were pivotal for the Pacers. This marks Indiana`s second trip to the Finals, seeking the franchise`s first-ever NBA championship.
As Game 1 approaches, our panel of NBA experts shares their predictions for the outcome of this highly anticipated series.
NBA Finals Matchup
Indiana Pacers (4) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (1)
Expert Predictions
Victoria Arlen: Thunder in 6
Jerry Bembry: Thunder in 6
Tim Bontemps: Thunder in 5
Chris Canty: Pacers in 7
Evan Cohen: Thunder in 5
Freddie Coleman: Pacers in 6
Courtney Cronin: Thunder in 6
Harry Douglas: Thunder in 6
Ian Fitzsimmons: Thunder in 6
Joe Fortenbaugh: Thunder in 5
Emmett Golden: Thunder in 6
Chris Herring: Thunder in 5
Zach Kram: Thunder in 5
Bobby Marks: Thunder in 5
Myron Medcalf: Thunder in 5
Dave McMenamin: Thunder in 6
Q Myers: Thunder in 6
Gabe Neitzel: Thunder in 5
Neil Paine: Thunder in 5
Kevin Pelton: Thunder in 5
Omar Raja: Thunder in 5
Jay Reynolds: Thunder in 6
Michelle Smallmon: Thunder in 6
Ramona Shelburne: Thunder in 5
Andre Snellings: Thunder in 7
Marc Spears: Thunder in 7
Amber Wilson: Thunder in 5
Jeremy Woo: Pacers in 7
Michael C. Wright: Thunder in 6
Clinton Yates: Thunder in 5
Ohm Youngmisuk: Thunder in 6
Jonathan Zaslow: Thunder in 4
Final Tally: Oklahoma City 29, Indiana 3
