Thunder look to take home their first NBA title
Do we love the Oklahoma City Thunder or do we hate the Oklahoma City Thunder? If my social media consumption is to be believed, they seem to be the most hated team in the world. I don’t really get it. It’s not that I love watching Shai Gilgeous-Alexander grift his way into 10 foul shots. But I do love seeing him work his way into a gorgeous jumper. I don’t understand what you can have against Jalen Williams, who is like 10 times better than anybody ever thought he’d be. Chet Holmgren is charmingly out of his depth as an extremely talented but extremely young, big, gangly dude who you can always notice on the floor. The supporting cast plays hard. Again, I don’t get it.
It’s harder for me to love the Indiana Pacers, but that is probably just Detroit Pistons -fueled Central Division bias. I’ve never really loved Myles Turner, especially as his defense has regressed, and Tyrese Haliburton seemingly wants you to hate him. TJ McConnell is like that small popcorn husk that sticks to the roof of your mouth. Bennedict Mathurin does four things a game that make me feel insane, and not in a good way. It’s a strange team. But the games are always entertaining.
Now we are at the eve of what might be the final contest between these two squads in the finals, and the final game of the NBA season. The Thunder are up 3-2 and looking to take the title home. The Pacers are hoping to live to fight another day, but Haliburton is hobbled and Indy is running out of options.
Game Vitals
When: 8:30 p.m. ET
Where: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana
Watch: ABC
Odds: Thunder -5.5
Projected Lineups
Oklahoma City Thunder (3-2)
Shai-Gilgeous Alexander, Lu Dort, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein
Indiana Pacers (2-3)
Tyrese Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, Pascal Siakam, Myles Turner