Pacers vs Thunder predictions
All eyes are going to be on Tyrese Haliburton as the Indiana Pacers head into Game 7, especially with his calf strain status still hovering over the team like a storm cloud. Still, if he’s anywhere close to full speed, I see him stepping up as both a creator and scorer, landing somewhere near 18 points and dishing out close to eight assists. Pascal Siakam has been a force on both ends all series long—his aggressive style will probably net him around 19 points and he’s more than capable of pulling down eight or nine boards. Myles Turner should continue to make a solid impact as a rim protector, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends the night with a double-double in points and rebounds, along with a couple clutch blocks to set the tone early.
On the Oklahoma City Thunder side, everyone is expecting—no, demanding—a monster game from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He’s been the go-to guy all postseason and with the Finals on the line, I could easily see him going for a massive 30+ point night while orchestrating the offense. Jalen Williams has quietly been a difference-maker as well, combining scoring punch with smart playmaking; he might hover around 20 points and chip in valuable assists. Don’t overlook Chet Holmgren in the post, either. His knack for grabbing double-digit rebounds and protecting the rim is likely to be a huge X-factor, especially with the pressure ratcheted up to max in a Game 7 scenario. If Chet can keep Siakam and Turner off the glass, OKC’s odds go up big time.
So who walks out of the Paycom Center as NBA champions? Both teams have their strengths, and honestly, it could be a toss-up if everyone is healthy, but the Thunder just look a little deeper and a little more explosive right now. With Gilgeous-Alexander locked in and OKC’s defense clicking at home, I’m giving the edge to the Oklahoma City Thunder in this winner-take-all showdown. Buckle up—Game 7 drama is about to hit peak levels. What do you think—are we in for a classic finish?
