NBA Title Decider: The Crucial Factor in Game 7 of the Basketball Finals
NBA Finals 2025: Thunder and Pacers in the Showdown
The basketball world is abuzz! The Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers are going head-to-head in the NBA Finals' ultimate game. This nail-biting Game Seven takes center stage on Monday (2:00 AM CEST/ProSiebenMAXX and DAZN).
Climbing the Mountain
The NBA Finals have been a rollercoaster so far. The Pacers sprung a surprise in the opener, nabbing a buzzer-beater win against the favorites in Oklahoma City. After tying things up, the Pacers snatched another win in the third game. Then, the Thunder showcased their might by claiming two straight victories. In the sixth game, the Thunder had a chance to seal the deal but were upstaged by the Pacers' dominance in the final home game, leading by 30 points after three quarters, forcing the decisive seventh game.
The Favorites: Always a Juggernaut
This is the 20th time a seventh game is taking place in NBA Finals history. The home team has won a whopping 15 out of 19 times. With such impressive records, the Thunder are undoubtedly the clear favorites to win it all. The experts predicted an OKC win even before the series began. Boasting the best team of the regular season, the Thunder confidently conquered obstacles on their young squad's path, including the Denver Nuggets.
However,history shows that home advantage doesn't always guarantee victory. The last Game Seven in the NBA Finals was secured by the away team: in 2016, the Cleveland Cavaliers clinched the title on the road against the Golden State Warriors. The Pacers have already demonstrated their ability to shock the world by snatching the first game in Oklahoma City.
The Championship's Glory
Neither the Oklahoma City Thunder nor the Indiana Pacers have ever raised the NBA title trophy - not under their current names, at least. The Oklahoma City Thunder are the descendants of the Seattle SuperSonics, who vacated Washington for Oklahoma in 2008. The SuperSonics clinched the championship in 1979, a feat still mourned by Seattle fans to this day. Since their move, OKC has made it to the Finals only once, losing to Miami Heat in 2012. The Pacers lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2000.
Stars on the Rise
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, hailed as the MVP, is the Thunder's driving force, with Tyrese Haliburton leading the Pacers. However, the true strengths of both teams lie in their deep rosters, where often lesser-known players can turn the tide for victory or defeat.
The German Factor
Isaiah Hartenstein, playing in his seventh NBA season, is making a significant impact in the Thunder's run to the Finals. Born in the US and raised in Germany, Hartenstein was signed by OKC to a 3-year, $87 million contract before the season. His versatile skills as a passer and shot blocker have been instrumental in the Thunder's success, especially in rebounding and defense. Hartenstein's potential to win the first NBA title alongside Dirk Nowitzki as the second German player further adds to the excitement.
Ratings Reduction
Despite the exciting basketball on display, viewership for the series isn't as high as it was. Approximately 19% fewer viewers have tuned in to the first five games compared to the 2024 finals between the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks. Smaller market cities such as Indianapolis and Oklahoma City have fewer outside fans compared to teams like the Lakers, Knicks, or Celtics, which could explain the lower ratings[1].
The anticipated Game Seven of the NBA Finals 2025 between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers promises to be a spectacle, especially since both teams are equally fueled by their unmatched passion for basketball, with players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Thunder and Tyrese Haliburton of the Pacers at the forefront. Despite the Thunder being trumpeted as the favorites due to their impressive regular season performance, one cannot underestimate the underdog spirit of the Pacers, who have already displayed their ability to stun the world with their upset victory in the first game.
