Game Seven Finals, The Three Best Words in the NBA

Many parties were skeptical before the 2025 NBA Finals series between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder. The matchup was anticipated to be the worst championship game for various reasons. These included a lack of megastars, the clubs' absence of championship tradition, and an excess of young players.

After six games, 1,317 points were scored, and both teams exchanged leads, resulting in a tie of 3-3. The Pacers and Thunder will face off in a decisive Game Seven. The winning team will be remembered in history, while the losing team will regret it forever.

The seven-game final always manages to present the best drama. All players will give their all because there is no tomorrow. The only options are to be a winner or a loser. The last time a final match extended to seven games was nine years ago, in the 2015-2016 season.

At that time, LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the golden generation of the Golden State Warriors, led by Stephen Curry. That decisive duel provided many great moments, such as James' explosive block and Kyrie Irving's three-point shot in the final minutes.

Throughout NBA history, the finals have only gone to a seventh game 19 times. This moment is very rare because both teams must be truly balanced to achieve it. The Thunder and Pacers created this moment once again at the Paycom Center Stadium, Oklahoma City, on Monday (23/6/2025) at 07:00 WIB.

The momentum is slightly in favor of the Pacers. Tyrese Haliburton and his teammates have just defeated the Thunder in game six last Friday. "We have one game. It's all about the last game. It doesn't matter what happened before or after that," said Haliburton, who returned from injury in that game.

The last three teams that won through game seven always won game six. The Los Angeles Lakers (2010), Miami Heat (2013), and Cavaliers (2016) successfully carried psychological advantages from game six to the decisive game. The winner of the previous game certainly has a higher level of confidence.

The Thunder also has a big advantage that the Pacers don't have, namely the home team status. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and his teammates will be supported by tens of thousands of spectators who are ready to welcome the first NBA trophy. The Thunder's home winning record in the playoffs this season has reached 83.3 percent.

Throughout the history of the seven finals, the home team has been more dominant with a record of 15 wins - 4 losses. The support of the spectators feels like an additional player for the home team during difficult situations. Moreover, the adrenaline of the match not only drives the players but also makes the supporters more vocal.

One of the pieces of evidence is the 2010 final. At that time, legendary player Kobe Bryant led the Lakers to victory over the Boston Celtics on their home court. He performed heroically despite having his right index finger bandaged due to a fracture. The pain subsided amidst the wave of cheers from the supporters.

Shai stated that there is nothing more special than being able to win at home. "We have to give everything. All that we have prepared. One more match for everything that is dreamed of. If you win, you get everything. If you lose, you go home with nothing," he said.

The final duel will be collective versus talent. The Thunder, with the youngest squad and the best winning record in the regular season, are undoubtedly the most talented team. They have the best individual talent in the NBA right now, such as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) Shai and forward Jalen Williams.

Just look at the statistics during the finals. The duo Thunder, dubbed the latest version of Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, was very dominant in scoring. Shai recorded an average of 30.5 points, while Williams had 24.2 points. Not a single player from the Pacers averaged more than 20 points.

On the other hand, the Pacers heavily rely on collectivity. As many as eight of their players average double-digit points, including Pascal Siakam (19.8 points), Haliburton (14.8 points), and T. J. McConnell (11.3 points). Only four players from the Thunder are able to produce double-digit points.

This does not mean that the Thunder lack team collectivity or that the Pacers do not have talented individuals. However, both coaches, Mark Daigneault (Thunder) and Rick Carlisle (Pacers), have their own approaches to bring out the best potential. These two approaches clashed in the finals series.

The "gray area" of the upcoming match will be the most intriguing aspect. Neither the Pacers nor the Thunder have ever experienced a Game Seven in the finals. The Thunder have previously gone through a Game Seven in the earlier round, when they defeated the Denver Nuggets in the conference finals. However, the atmosphere will be many times more intense.

The motivation and great ambitions of the players will encounter doubt and caution. This is what makes the seventh game of the finals always intense, often ending with a single-digit margin and not exceeding 100 points. The duel will be determined by the greatness of heart and mental resilience.

Carlisle stated that the Thunder is the best team on the planet right now. However, that is not the most important thing for his players to think about. He wants the Pacers squad to enjoy that rare moment. "The opportunity to play in a game like that is an honor and a great opportunity," he said.

It is undeniable that the final seven games are the three best words in the NBA. Those words will transform into a more beautiful moment this coming Monday, as whoever the winner is will emerge as the new NBA champion. A new history is sure to be etched at the end of this season. (AP)