2025 NBA Finals Preview: How the Indiana Pacers Can Upset the Oklahoma City Thunder

The Thunder are the sixth-biggest favorite in NBA Finals history, but there ways in which the Pacers can play the role of David and topple Goliath.

Pascal Siakam (43) of the Indiana Pacers protects the ball from Cason Wallace (22) of the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, on March 29, 2025. William Purnell/Getty Images

The 2025 NBA Finals begin on Thursday with the Western Conference’s top seed, the Oklahoma City Thunder, facing the East’s No. 4 seed, the Indiana Pacers.

OKC has had a historic season in which it is just the fourth team with 80-plus regular season plus postseason wins entering the Finals. Also, the Thunder already set the NBA postseason record for the most 30-point wins—four—as they are overwhelming favorites to win the championship.