NBA Finals Game One: What to Watch in Pacers vs Thunder
Game One of the NBA Finals kicks off between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder at 8:30 p.m. EST on Thursday at the Paycom Center. With both teams making their second finals appearance in franchise history, one looks to lift the Larry O’Brien trophy for the first time. Entering the series, OKC is an overwhelming -750 favorite according to FanDuel Sportsbook. For Game One, OKC enters at -9.5-point favorites according to ESPN Bet; however, Indiana is no stranger to being the underdog.
Pacers Hope to Keep Rolling on the Road
The Indiana Pacers have been no strangers to winning playoff games on the road, with an outstanding 6-2 record this postseason. Tyrese Haliburton has spurred multiple clutch performances, rallying Indiana back within the final minutes to steal pivotal games on the road. Averaging 19.8 points and 9.8 assists per game, Haliburton will need to stay aggressive and control the pace for Indiana to compete in this series. The 2025 Eastern Conference Finals Most Valuable Player, Pascal Siakam, will be a focal point for Oklahoma City’s defense as he looks to retain his form following his average of 24.8 points per game in the series against the New York Knicks.
Can Anyone Stop the Oklahoma City Thunder?
Cruising through the Western Conference Finals in just five games, OKC hopes to improve their home postseason record in Game One, with their only loss coming to the Denver Nuggets in the second round. Regular Season and Western Conference Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hopes to set the tone for the series at home in Game One on both the offensive and defensive end. While OKC has been a historically good defensive team this season, Indiana’s fast tempo offense could cause them issues in Thursday’s opening game and potentially turn the game into an offensive battle. A recurring X-factor this postseason is Jalen Williams and his offensive output. Poised for a high-scoring battle, Game One will likely come down to Jalen Williams matching or exceeding his postseason average of 20.4 points per game.
A Historic Finals Tips-Off in OKC
One of these teams will have a special moment in their franchise’s history. After Thursday’s game, one team will be one quarter of the way there. Despite two small-market teams participating, this series is expected to bring in headlines that mimic the exciting action we have seen in these playoffs so far. Will SGA add to his already historic season by capturing OKC’s first title, or will Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers cap off a magical run? With history at stake, Game One promises to be the opening chapter to a spectacular NBA Finals.
