Hip-Hop Legend Doesn’t Hesitate to Pick NBA Finals Winner Between Thunder-Pacers originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The 2025 NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers tips off on Thursday night in Game 1.
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Of course, the Thunder have dominated their way to their first NBA Finals appearance since 2012 after they finished the regular season with the best record in the NBA.
They were then able to continue their dominant stretch during the playoffs as the only series they were tested in was against the Denver Nuggets in the second round.
Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-AlexanderAlonzo Adams-Imagn Images
On the other side, the Pacers have also dominated their way through the playoffs in the Eastern Conference as they have reached the Finals for the first time since 2000.
Entering the NBA Finals, the Thunder are the heavy favorites and hip-hop legend Ice Cube believes that they will win the title this season as he said on Wednesday on FanDuel’s Run It Back.
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“I’m going to go with the Thunder,” Ice Cube said. I think they can win in six games. I like the Pacers’ game, but the Thunder…they got defense.”
While ice Cube gave props to the Pacers due to their play, it is clear that he is picking the Thunder to win their first championship since the franchise relocated to Oklahoma City due to their defense.
Of course, the Thunder, led by NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, finished the regular season as the best defensive team in the NBA as they led almost every defensive statistical category.
May 26, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (8), forward Chet Holmgren (7) and guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) talk to the media after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves in game four of the western conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Target Center. © Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
Their incredible defensive play has continued into the postseason and it has been a major factor to their success thus far and it should play a key role once again in the NBA Finals.
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Oklahoma City has also excelled on the offensive side thanks to Shai, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren and the rest of their roster but they do have a tough test against a stingy Pacers team that is hunting a title of their own.
Fans can catch Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday night at 8:30 p.m. EST on ABC.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 4, 2025, where it first appeared.