Thunder vs. Pacers: What to know before Game 1 of the NBA Finals

For the first time since 2012, the Oklahoma City Thunder are back in the NBA Finals. They’ll face the Indiana Pacers, another franchise chasing its first championship title.

News On 6 sports analyst Jeremie Poplin joined LeAnne Taylor and Dave Davis to break down what to expect ahead of Game 1.

Q: Jeremie, it’s been a long time since the Thunder made the Finals. What stands out to you about this return?

Poplin: "Yeah, it's so weird to think about that. There's been almost like a generation. I look at it, and I'm sure you guys do as well. 2012, to me, wasn't that long ago. It feels like maybe just a few years ago. But now a new generation of Thunder fans gets to experience what it's like to be a part of a team that makes it to the NBA Finals.

"Indiana is kind of in the same boat. They haven’t been to the Finals since 2000, when they got beaten by the Lakers. So we’re going to have a team crowned NBA champion for the first time. And yes, I’m not counting the 1979 Sonics because even though it counts from the NBA’s perspective, the Thunder themselves have never really recognized that title."

Q: The 2012 Finals featured a young Thunder team against a Miami Heat team stacked with stars. How does this year’s matchup compare?

Poplin: "Well, I think it's exactly that. That team that was put together in Miami—people joked about how many championships they were going to win together. This Pacers team is not quite as formidable in terms of the star power that Miami had.

"I will caution you, though, if you think the Thunder are just going to roll in and take care of business against Indiana, I think this has the potential to be one of the better series. I still think Oklahoma City is going to win, but Indiana has proven over the course of the season that they’ve got the type of offense, in terms of pace, that can give virtually anyone problems.

"They also have their own budding superstar in Tyrese Haliburton, who has really exploded onto the scene since he arrived in that trade from Sacramento. So no, you’re not facing that three-headed monster like the Thunder were in 2012. Instead, it’s a team that plays a more beautiful style of basketball—they like to pass the ball and move the ball around on offense."

Q: What do the Thunder need to do to win Game 1 and protect home court?

Poplin: "First, they have to match Indiana’s intensity. One thing you’ll notice about Indiana is their pace. There were times during the Knicks series when they had a shot up within four seconds of getting possession. The pace they’re playing at in the playoffs is unbelievable.

"The Thunder just have to rely on what they do defensively, which is create turnovers. Indiana doesn’t turn the ball over that much at all, really—over the course of the regular season.

"But there are two big things in this series. I don’t think Indiana has seen a team play defense the way the Thunder have, both during the season and the playoffs. And I don’t think the Thunder have seen a team that operates offensively the way Indiana does.

"But from top to bottom, LeAnne, this is a better roster in Oklahoma City than what Indiana has, even though they both probably have the deepest bench of any of the teams."

Where can I get the latest NBA Finals coverage?

Game 1 tips off at 7:30 p.m. at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.

News On 6 has full coverage of the Thunder’s Finals run, including stories, stats, fan photos and more at NewsOn6.com/ThunderFinals.