Well, I’ll admit it – I stumbled in my last column, riding the underdog wave and calling for the Wolves in the Finals. Blame it on chasing a good story; everybody loves a Cinderella run. But for this preview, I’m locking in, leaving bias at the door, and breaking it down with cold, hard numbers and pure hoops logic.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have steamrolled through the season, and their Finals berth was no shock. Yet, this matchup against the Indiana Pacers is a dream for fans who care less about star power, legacy talk, or big-market glitz and more about the game itself. Both teams prove you don’t need a massive market to make massive noise. Sure, games at MSG or Staples would’ve crashed ticket sites and dominated headlines, but for diehard NBA fans, nothing beats hearing AC/DC’s Thunderstruck blaring in OKC or soaking in the hoops-as-religion vibe in Indiana – where basketball, from high school to college to pro, is practically sacred.
After 1,307 games of regular season and playoff grind, we’ve arrived at the grand stage. Let’s dive into the NBA Finals and the key matchups that’ll decide who hoists the Larry O’Brien trophy.
NBA Finals Preview: Thunder vs. Pacers
SGA vs. Haliburton
The marquee showdown pits two alpha playmakers who’ll steer their teams’ fates. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) and Tyrese Haliburton won’t often guard each other (except when SGA hunts Haliburton on switches) but their impact will shape this series. Both have flashed brilliance in the playoffs but also had games below their usual standard. SGA gets the edge for his two-way dominance, while Haliburton needs to channel his near-mythical Game 4 against the Knicks (32 points, 12 rebounds, 15 assists, zero turnovers) to keep pace. The Thunder might survive an off-night from Shai; the Pacers can’t afford one from Tyrese.
Siakam vs. Williams
A battle of elite second options. Pascal Siakam, fresh off Eastern Conference Finals MVP honors, is peaking at the perfect time. Jalen Williams, meanwhile, is a ticking time bomb, ready to erupt – as he did in Game 4 against Minnesota, dropping 34 to seal the deal. Siakam’s consistency and championship pedigree give him the slight nod, but don’t sleep on Williams stealing the show.
Dort vs. Nesmith
These two defensive pitbulls face the series’ toughest assignments. Both have carved out reputations as lockdown specialists tasked with slowing opposing stars, and their success could swing the series. Offensively, they’re no slouches either, capable of punishing lazy defenses with timely threes, especially Nesmith, who torched the Knicks in Game 1. If both are at full strength, it’s a coin flip, but Nesmith’s lingering ankle injury tips the scales toward Lu Dort.
Holmgren vs. Turner
A tale of diverging trajectories. Myles Turner seemed to peak against Cleveland but struggled against Karl-Anthony Towns, while Chet Holmgren, after a grueling series against Jokić’s Nuggets, feasted in a softer conference finals matchup. As primary rim protectors, they’ll be busy with slashing guards, and their shooting will dictate offensive spacing. Holmgren’s versatility, talent, and current form give him a clear edge, though Turner could still have a breakout game or two.
Nembhard vs. Caruso
Alex Caruso likely won’t start, and minutes between Andrew Nembhard and Bennedict Mathurin are up in the air, but expect heavy small-ball lineups. The Pacers’ guards have more offensive pop, but Caruso is the X-factor in OKC’s best units. His ability to guard anyone, combined with the Thunder’s chaotic, defense-to-offense runs that can spark 10-point bursts in minutes, gives OKC the advantage here.
The Verdict
The Pacers have solid bench options, but the Thunder’s depth is unmatched. That’s the story of this series: Indiana is good, but Oklahoma City is better. The Pacers can hope for chaos, hot shooting, and a track meet, but it’s hard to see that holding up against a historically great Thunder squad. Like most, I’m picking OKC in 5 – leaning toward a sweep before I’d bet on a six-game slog.
Enough talk. We’ve had a whole season for that. Now, it’s time to sit back, enjoy, and crown a new champion.