NBA Finals: Pacers, Thunder Bringing Everything That’s Right About Hoops To Center Stage

Nevertheless, here we are — two smaller market teams playing on the league’s grandest stage and for its biggest prize.

The Pacers advanced via the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference, finishing off the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals in six games.

The Thunder were fairly unstoppable all season, compiling a 68-14 record and struggling only briefly in the West playoffs, in the second round against the Denver Nuggets.

We can assume it will be quite a matchup. At least, it is on paper. And perhaps by way of the simple eye test, too.

OKC features Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren and a relentless, physical defense. The Thunder have young legs, loads of talent, and lots of depth. They can wear you down.

“We understand the challenge of the opponent,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said, via Dustin Dopirak of the Indianapolis Star. “Oklahoma City has been dominant all year with all capital letters. DOMINANT.”

Meanwhile, the Pacers aren’t too shabby themselves. Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam have become even bigger stars in the postseason. Indiana has an incredible offense and also employs a physical brand of basketball defensively.

The Thunder are the favorites. But the Pacers have been the underdogs for two straight rounds. For two straight rounds, they’ve won reach of the first two home games on the opponent’s court. Almost no one comes back from that.

But it will be a tall, tall task for Indiana to get even one of the first two in OKC. That said, that’s why we play the games. No one knows what could happen.

After all, if everyone had been right, this probably wouldn’t be the Finals matchup that we’re getting. But it is. And it should make for some amazing basketball.

Game 1. Thursday night. ABC. Be there.