Experts picks for the Pacers-Thunder series

From the infinitesimal the 2024-25 NBA play tipped disconnected successful October, it was each starring to June and the NBA Finals. After 7 months of regular-season hoops and an electrifying postseason, the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers are the past 2 teams near standing.

The Thunder soared past the Minnesota Timberwolves successful the Western Conference finals, winning the bid successful 5 games -- 4 of which featured 30-plus constituent outings from NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. This is the Thunder's 2nd Finals appearance, and it would beryllium their archetypal NBA title arsenic the Oklahoma City Thunder (the Seattle SuperSonics franchise relocated to Oklahoma City successful 2008 and had antecedently won the rubric successful 1979).

The Pacers, led by Eastern Conference finals MVP Pascal Siakam and a historical Game 4 show from Tyrese Haliburton, clinched the East with an entertaining six-game bid against the New York Knicks. This is the franchise's 2nd Finals appearance, and if it prevails, it would beryllium its archetypal NBA title.

Ahead of Game 1 of the Finals connected Thursday (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC), our NBA experts marque their picks.

Schedule and results | Offseason guide

NBA Finals

Indiana Pacers (4) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (1)

Jerry Bembry: Thunder successful 6
Tim Bontemps: Thunder successful 5
Chris Herring: Thunder successful 5
Zach Kram: Thunder successful 5
Bobby Marks: Thunder successful 5
Dave McMenamin: Thunder successful 6
Neil Paine: Thunder successful 5
Kevin Pelton: Thunder successful 5
Omar Raja: Thunder successful 5
Ramona Shelburne: Thunder successful 5
Andre Snellings: Thunder successful 7
Marc Spears: Thunder successful 7
Jeremy Woo: Pacers successful 7
Michael C. Wright: Thunder successful 6
Ohm Youngmisuk: Thunder successful 6

Final tally:

Oklahoma City 14, Indiana 1