The NBA Finals have arrived, with the Oklahoma City Thunder taking on the Indiana Pacers.
The Thunder have steam rolled their way back to the decider, winning 68 regular season game, sweeping the Memphis Grizzlies in Round 1, and after a tough seven-game battle with Denver in Round 2, they dispatched the Minnesota Timberwolves in five in the Western Conference Finals.
Indiana's run was a bloodbath in its own right, taking down MVP finalist Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks, the 64-win Cleveland Cavaliers, and historic rivals the New York Knicks, making their first finals appearance since the turn of the century.
So how will the series begin?
Thunder vs Pacers NBA Finals Game 1 Preview
The first game of the series could be the most crucial, with the winner of Game 1 historically winning the series 70% of the time.
Oklahoma City hold home court advantage in the series, and it has been a dominant advantage throughout the post-season, currently 9-1 on their home court, with the sole loss coming in Game 1 of their second round series against Denver.
But Indiana have proved that they don't care too much about playing on the road, winning the first two away games against both Cleveland and New York; their performance in Game 1 against the Knicks ranking among the most improbable wins in NBA history.
With the Thunder having already dropped one series opener at home, and the Pacers showing they have what it takes to steal road games, this could be a much closer contest than many believe, but the Oklahoma City Thunder should have enough to get the job done in their first Finals game since 2012.
Thunder vs Pacers NBA Finals Game 1 odds
The Oklahoma City Thunder are the heavy favourites to take out the opening game of the NBA Finals.
| OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER | INDIANA PACERS |
| $1.24 | $4.25 |
How to watch the NBA Finals 2025
Each and every game of the 2025 NBA Finals will be shown on ESPN, via Foxtel.
They can also be streamed through Kayo, as well as NBA League Pass.
When does NBA Finals start?
Both the Thunder and the Pacers will have significant time off ahead of the finals, with the title-deciding series not beginning until Friday, June 6.
The opening game will be played in Oklahoma City, at the Paycom Center, tipping off at 10:30 a.m. AEST.
NBA Finals 2025 schedule
| DATE | GAME | TIME (AEST) | LOCATION |
| Fri, June 6 | Game 1 | 10:30 a.m. | Paycom Center, Oklahoma City |
| Mon, June 9 | Game 2 | 10:00 a.m. | Paycom Center, Oklahoma City |
| Thu, June 12 | Game 3 | 10:30 a.m. | Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis |
| Sat, June 14 | Game 4 | 10:30 a.m. | Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis |
| Tue, June 17 | Game 5* | 10:30 a.m. | Paycom Center, Oklahoma City |
| Fri, June 20 | Game 6* | 10:30 a.m. | Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis |
| Mon, June 23 | Game 7* | 10:00 a.m. | Paycom Center, Oklahoma City |