Indiana Pacers Playing Fast Will Be Key to Beating OKC Thunder
Indiana Pacers Playing Fast Will Be Key to Beating OKC Thunder originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Indiana Pacers lost only four games in the postseason as they marched to their first NBA Finals appearance in 25 years, and they will match up against the Oklahoma City Thunder, another team looking to win its first title.
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The Thunder were easily the best team in the NBA in the regular season, although they had a tougher run in the postseason, taking all seven games to beat the Denver Nuggets in the second round.
Still, the Thunder lost only one game to the Eastern Conference all season, falling to the Cleveland Cavaliers in January. According to FanDuel, the Thunder are massive favorites, with -700 odds to win the series to the Pacers' +500 odds.
Still, the series hasn't started yet, and the door is far from closed on Indiana's season.
Both teams boast efficient offenses, deep benches, and solid defensive play, although we can easily concede that OKC is better on that side of the ball. Still, the Pacers, with their speedy brand of basketball, have one advantage in the series.
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In the postseason, the Thunder have actually played faster than the Pacers, boasting the second-fastest pace, behind only the Memphis Grizzlies. Indiana ranks third, although they do have a clear advantage in that regard.
The Pacers played and easily beat the Cleveland Cavaliers and Milwaukee Bucks, who ranked fifth and sixth in postseason pace. OKC, meanwhile, beat the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves, who play much slower.
The Pacers have plenty of experience in this postseason, speeding up the game and keeping up on the defensive side, and they should be able to outrun the Thunder. Unlike their earlier opponents, OKC has more depth and can stay fresher for longer, but everyone on the Pacers' bench excels while playing at a high speed, giving OKC no breaks.
Check out the All Pacers homepage for more news, analysis, and must-read articles.
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Related: Pascal Siakam's Awkward Interaction With Indiana Reporter Goes Viral
Related: How Indiana Pacers Secured First NBA Finals Appearance in 25 Years
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
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