The NBA championship will go to the victor of Game 7 between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder this Sunday. Indiana forced this decisive game after a solid 108-91 victory on Thursday. The Pacers, with a record of 50-32, are looking for their first title since their 1973 ABA win and have performed well on the road this playoffs, boasting a 7-4 away record. Meanwhile, the Thunder, who can claim their first championship since relocating to Oklahoma City in 2008, have a strong postseason home record of 10-2.

Tip-off at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. Oklahoma City holds an edge in this season’s matchups, having won five of their eight meetings. The Thunder are favored by 7.5 points according to the latest odds from DraftKings Sportsbook, with the total points over/under set at 215.5.

Why the Thunder can cover

Point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, this season’s MVP candidate, is a major driver of the Thunder’s offense. In the last game, he scored 21 points, supporting his team’s performance. He had a double-double in Game 5 against Indiana with 31 points and 10 assists.

Jalen Williams, a forward, is also crucial for Oklahoma City. He scored a playoff-high of 40 points in Game 5 and has averaged 21.5 points and nearly 6 rebounds throughout the playoffs.

Why the Pacers can cover

The Pacers feature six players averaging double digits in scoring during the postseason, led by Pascal Siakam. He’s averaging 20.7 points per game, showing consistent performances including double-doubles. Meanwhile, Tyrese Haliburton, despite dealing with an injury, has been a key player, contributing valuable scoring and assists.

How to make Pacers vs. Thunder picks

Severance suggests considering a strategic pick for Game 7, which focuses on approaching the point total rather than just taking the spread. More insights and analysis are available at SportsLine.