NBA Finals predictions: Who will win?

The 2025 NBA Finals are set to tip off tonight. As we gear up for game time, let’s make our predictions on who will win the title, claim the MVP for the series, and more.

Pacers vs. Thunder: Who will win 2025 NBA Finals?

The Pacers and Thunder have been the two best teams since January 1, 2025. One team, the Pacers, plays at a high offensive level. The other, the Thunder, boasts an incredible defensive presence.

Ultimately, defense is what wins championships in the NBA. That is true, even in today’s lack of defensive game. OKC is by far the superior team on defense and this should give them the edge.

Predicted winner: The Thunder 

Who will win Finals MVP?

The Finals MVP has gone to a player on the winning team every single year but one. In 1969, the league gave out its first Finals MVP Award and it went to Jerry West of the Los Angeles Lakers.

This was despite the Lakers losing in seven games to the Bill Russell-led Boston Celtics. Still, this year’s MVP will likely be from the winning team.

That said, the MVP of the season, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, will be the frontrunner for the award. He’s been the best player all season long, and that shouldn’t change now.

Predicted Finals MVP: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 

Keys to victory

If the Pacers want to secure their first NBA title, they will need to push the pace, while maintaining control of the ball. The Pacers are hard to stop when they get out and run, which will be key against OKC’s defense.

Indiana will need to knock down their threes at a high rate if they want any shot at winning. In the games the Pacers won this postseason, they made 14.8 threes per game. In the losses, Indiana only made 9.3 per game.

For the Thunder, they need to continue to play their top-notch defense. In the playoffs, OKC ranks first in defensive rating at 106.2.

It truly is that simple for the Thunder. If they continue with their incredible defense, and Gilgeous-Alexander keeps up his MVP level of play, OKC should emerge as this year’s NBA champions.

Game 1 tips off tonight at 8:30 PM EST.