2025 Playoffs: Finals Preview (Pacers vs Thunder)

  • I think OKC wins this series in 5 (and the Pacers will take game three).
  • SGA is a way better basketball player than anyone on Indy's squad.
  • The Thunder's perimeter defense will hound the Pacers who barely post-up, lack an elite scorer, and don't have a great foul drawer besides Bennedict Mathurin who only plays 16 minutes a night in these playoffs.
  • Thus, Indiana has to maximize on-ball screens and drives or shots immediately off the catch.
  • Shai will exploit Aaron Nesmith's and Andrew Nembhard's defensive pressure by getting to the free throw line a lot.
  • Indiana is a bad rebounding team who let Mitchell Robinson collect many offensive boards in the 2025 conference finals and will struggle to contain Isaiah Hartenstien as well.
  • Gilgeous-Alexander will spend most of his time guarding a mediocre hooper (a perimeter guy outside of Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam). Therefore, he gets to save his energy to lead the Oklahoma City offensive attack. 

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