The 2025 NBA Finals kick off Thursday night with the Oklahoma City Thunder facing the Indiana Pacers. Oklahoma City has the best odds to win the championship since the 2018 Golden State Warriors. However, Indiana will have something to say about that after being one of the most consistent teams throughout the regular season and playoffs. Below is a breakdown of bold predictions heading into the 2025 NBA Finals.
Oklahoma City’s Frontcourt Dominates the Series
The Thunder averaged 44.8 RPG during the regular season and has stayed aligned in the postseason, averaging 44.3 RPG. Oklahoma City’s rebounding production trumped Indiana’s during the regular season and in the playoffs. Offensive rebounds, leading to second-chance points, will be a focus for Indiana as Oklahoma City is averaging nearly 12 OREB per game this postseason. Indiana must keep Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein in check as both have dominated the glass during the 2025 playoffs.
Indiana Will Rely on Aaron Nesmith to Contain SGA
Easier said than done, Nesmith is the only Indiana defender who can limit Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s damage. Nesmith is Indiana’s best defender and one of three Pacers players in this postseason’s top 10 for plus/minus. Gilgeous-Alexander will get his, but Aaron Nesmith must contain the player with the second-most field goal attempts and points during the postseason.
Rick Carlisle Pushes The 2025 Finals to Six Games
Rick Carlisle will be the reason this series goes to six games. The veteran coach is 10th in playoff victories and knows what it takes to win an NBA championship. Oklahoma City will ultimately win the 2025 Finals, but the Pacers’ head coach will lead his team to two victories during this matchup.
Jalen Williams Wins Finals MVP
It’s easy to pick Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning regular season MVP, to win Final MVP, but Jalen Williams has the same aura that saw Andre Iguodala win Finals MVP in 2015. Williams’ production has not gone unnoticed as he’s 11th in minutes, 7th in points, 10th in rebounds, 5th in assists, and 4th in plus/minus. He’s been one of the dominating forces behind Oklahoma City’s success and will be crowned the 2025 NBA Finals MVP.
The 2025 NBA Finals Will Finish with Top 10 Viewership
The 2001 NBA Finals, featuring the Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers, is the closest a 2000s Finals has come to top 10 viewership. The 2025 NBA Finals will change this as Oklahoma City, not counting Seattle’s 1979 championship, and Indiana are both searching for their first championship in franchise history.