After what has been a blazing finish in Game 4, the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers now move on to a best-of-three series in this showdown of the 2025 NBA Finals. However, this will be a must-win for both sides, as whoever wins Game 5 may end up being the one in full control for the rest of the series.

It is worth noting that there are a total of 40 times that a team that ended up with a 3-2 lead in the NBA Finals went on to win the series. Nine of those that have gone 2-3 have managed to reverse it and win the series. That is a stunning 81.6% rating in the Finals, which just spices up the implications as it means that both teams will have to come up with elite performances to finish strong in Game 5.

After all, nothing has been easy in the last four games. Fans have been treated to three clutch finishes, and the most recent one just showed that both teams have what it takes to go down to the wire. This just means that fans should look out for the intense spectacle that will take place in Paycom Center.

Can the Pacers Win on the Road?

Much has been asked of the Pacers in this series, but it is the fact that they can win on the road that has given them a massive chance to win big in most of the postseason. They have taken down massive giants one series after another, but it seems that this clash with the Thunder has hit them differently.

At this point, Indiana walks in with a 7-3 record on hostile territory. The Pacers have been praised for being able to deter the massive pressure of playing against hostile crowds, beating higher-seeded teams, and defying the odds time and time again. Still, the Pacers are a massive threat, and this heart-pounding clash will not write itself without the Eastern Conference Champions bringing in the fight.

“Stay in the moment,” said Pacers center Myles Turner, explaining the road approach. “It’s a hostile environment, and, in the end, this is what you dream of, playing in these environments with the highest stakes possible. I think that’s really what it is. We come together when moments get tough and just figure it out.”

The Eye of the Storm

The Thunder are a real threat at home, flexing a 9-2 record for the entire 2025 Playoffs. This says a lot about how the pressure rises on its opponents heading into Game 5. Paycom Center has earned a massive reputation for being loud – and it has intimidated visiting teams, while the Thunder roared along with its crowd whenever they come up with those fabled avalanches of scoring bursts.

After all, OKC has won with a point differential of +21.5 at home this postseason. They have logged massive wins of 51 points (vs Memphis), 32 points (vs Denver) and 30 points (vs Minnesota) against three different teams in the West. Against the Pacers? A 16-point win in Game 2.

Oklahoma City has found itself standing against adversity time and time again, and it is easy to say that the team has always endured and managed to claw its way back. They have done so again when they won in Game 4 on the road after being down 2-1.

However, it is clear that this Game 5 is a must-win for the team, and they are not letting a chance to go up 3-1 pass by them.