The NBA Finals are here at last. It’s MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander the 80-win Oklahoma City Thunder against Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers.

What will be the four biggest keys for the Thunder to put away the Pacers and win its first NBA championship?

Advertisement

Pre-order book on Thunder’s run to NBA Finals

MUSSATTO: How Sam Presti, architect of OKC Thunder rebuild, followed through on blueprint

Will the Thunder defense dominate again?

Even though there are all sorts of factors in an NBA Finals, I’m going to keep it simple. Suffocating, oppressive defense has been the difference for the Thunder — it was during the regular season and has been throughout the playoffs — and it will be the key to beating the Pacers, too. Indiana plays fast; its 117.7 offensive rating is second-best in these playoffs. But you know who’s right behind? The Thunder with an 117.1 offensive rating. And OKC’s defense is a big reason why, forcing turnovers, getting extra possessions and scoring in transition. That same level of intensity and havoc will be crucial against the Pacers.

Advertisement

—Jenni Carlson, Columnist

CARLSON: Patience got Thunder to 2025 NBA Finals. Now, OKC needs to win its first title.

Which bench will have the biggest impact?

These playoffs have shown that top-heavy teams are no longer the way to go. Depth is crucial, and both OKC and Indiana have it. Alex Caruso and Cason Wallace can swing the momentum in the Thunder’s favor with their defense, while Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe can heat up offensively. Obi Toppin and Bennedict Mathurin can also provide a spark for the Pacers, while T.J. McConnell is a reliable veteran who makes winning hustle plays. The stars will deliver in this series, but which bench players will show up on the biggest stage? That could decide the outcome of some of these games.

Advertisement

—Justin Martinez, Staff writer

REQUIRED READING: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has brushed past legacy. NBA Finals will put him in elite company.

Which team will win the turnover battle?

The Thunder forced opponents into a league-high 17 turnovers per game in the regular season. OKC is forcing 18 turnovers per game in the playoffs. On the flip side, the Pacers ranked third best in the regular season in fewest turnovers per game. Indiana is only turning it over 12.7 times per game in the playoffs. Which of those strengths will win out? OKC’s habit of taking the ball away or Indiana’s ability to protect it?

Advertisement

—Joe Mussatto, Columnist

More: Which NBA Finals matchups we’re watching the closest in OKC Thunder vs Indiana Pacers

Who’ll be most out of character?

At 40.1% from deep, the Pacers have been the best shooting team in the postseason. With as many turnovers OKC has forced, its canyon-sized gap from the rest of the field in defensive rating, as well as how poorly its forced teams to shoot (42.6% from the field), the Thunder has been the league’s best defense by a striking margin.

Who’ll waver first? Will Tyrese Haliburton be hurried or bottled up? Will Aaron Nesmith tell Lu Dort that this town — and series — is only big enough for one 3-and-D wing. Will the Pacers stop running altogether, the ankle weights of the Thunder defense too limiting? For two teams so firm on their identities, whichever one breaks character seems destined to fall.

Advertisement

—Joel Lorenzi, Staff Writer

REQUIRED READING: The Jalen Williams Way: How OKC Thunder forward paved a path to stardom, NBA Finals

Latest OKC Thunder news in NBA Finals

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: NBA Finals: 4 keys for OKC Thunder to beat Indiana Pacers for title