2025 NBA Championship Finals Prediction

The NBA conference finals went faster than many expected. Oklahoma City dominated Minnesota in five games while Indiana won a thriller series against New York in six. The Thunder lost only four games in three western conference matchups. Whoever wins this year’s championship deserves the praise and accolades. It’s time to break down which team has the best chance of winning their first franchise championship in the NBA’s 78th season.

#4 Indiana Pacers v. #1 Oklahoma City Thunder

This is the first thrilling NBA finals matchup we’ve had since Golden State won their last championship in 2022. Both teams are young, have fast-paced offenses and improved defenses. The Thunder have more depth while the Pacers have better coaching.

In both regular season games between Oklahoma City and Indiana, two things stood out: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored at least 33+ points, and forwards Luguentz Dort and Jalen Williams combined for 30+ points. There were roster changes and coverage improvements since both games were between late January and late March. Pacers star point guard Tyrese Haliburton struggled shooting the ball in both games finishing with 50% accuracy or less and scored a total of 22 points.

If there is anyone who can elevate the Pacers in an unlikely finals run, it is coach Rick Carlisle. Back in 2011, Carlisle’s Mavericks won their first and only franchise title in what many believe is one of the most well-earned championships of all time against the star-studded Miami Heat. Unlike those Mavericks, the Pacers never beat their finals opponent in the regular season. If Carlisle steals a few wins against Oklahoma City, Haliburton has to play better, forward Pascal Siakam and center Myles Turner have to play their best on both ends of the court and bench players like Obi Toppin and T.J. McConnell need to win their matchups against Cason Wallace and Jaylin Williams.

Unlike last year’s finals, the favored team won’t have it easy. Oklahoma City coach Mark Daigneault doesn’t have experience coaching in the NBA finals compared to the Pacers’ Rick Carlisle. This series could have a rough patch for the young, mostly inexperienced Thunder. Regardless of probable hiccups, Oklahoma City showed how to clamp and shut down Indiana’s stars. If the Thunder win this series, they’ll go into the offseason with a championship trophy, lots of draft capital and a parade to plan. Oklahoma City’s first franchise championship will make them the envy of the league and general manager Sam Presti one of, if not the best general manager in American sports this century.

Prediction: Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Indiana Pacers 4-2 and win their first ever Larry O’Brien Trophy