The 2025 NBA Finals are set after two decisive conference championship victories.
The Oklahoma City Thunder punched their ticket with a commanding five-game series win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, marking their first Finals appearance in over a decade.
The Indiana Pacers completed the bracket by defeating the New York Knicks in six games to claim the Eastern Conference crown.
Television analyst Skip Bayless wasted no time delivering his championship prediction following the Thunder’s conference title.
“MY THUNDER ARE GOING TO RUN THE PACERS OUT OF THE GYM. THUNDER IN 5. BOOK IT.” Bayless captioned his video clip.
MY THUNDER ARE GOING TO RUN THE PACERS OUT OF THE GYM. THUNDER IN 5. BOOK IT. pic.twitter.com/J3kiz6XyHC
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) June 1, 2025
Bayless delivered a harsh reality check to Indiana fans, suggesting they should savor their Eastern Conference championship because their Finals run ends there.
His analysis dismantled the Pacers’ playoff success against New York, attributing their victory more to the Knicks’ defensive weaknesses and coaching shortcomings than Indiana’s superior play.
The veteran analyst painted a stark contrast between Indiana’s path and what awaits them against Oklahoma City.
He described the Thunder as a historically elite defensive unit that will eliminate the open shots and easy scoring opportunities the Pacers exploited against New York.
Bayless emphasized Oklahoma City’s depth and defensive intensity as game-changing factors.
Despite the Pacers entering as nine-point underdogs, Bayless expects the Thunder to exceed that margin comfortably.
He predicted game one would showcase the defensive gap between these teams, with Oklahoma City’s suffocating scheme neutralizing Indiana’s offensive rhythm from the opening tip.
The Oklahoma City Thunder’s last NBA Finals appearance came in 2012, when they clashed with the Miami Heat’s powerhouse trio.
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