The 2024-25 NBA season, which began in October, culminated in the NBA Finals in June. Following seven months of regular-season action and a thrilling postseason, the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers emerged as the final two teams.
In the Western Conference Finals, the Thunder defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games. Four of these games saw NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander score over 30 points. This marks the Thunder`s second appearance in the Finals and they are seeking their first championship since the franchise relocated to Oklahoma City in 2008 (the Seattle SuperSonics won a title in 1979).
The Pacers, led by Eastern Conference Finals MVP Pascal Siakam and featuring a remarkable Game 4 performance from Tyrese Haliburton, secured the Eastern Conference title by winning an exciting six-game series against the New York Knicks. This is the Pacers` second trip to the NBA Finals, and they are aiming for their first championship.
As Game 1 of the Finals approaches, NBA experts offer their predictions for the series.
NBA Finals
Indiana Pacers (4) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (1)
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
