Stephen A. Smith, on ESPN’s First Take, argues that the Oklahoma City Thunder will win the 2025 NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers due to their elite defensive prowess and youthful athleticism, as detailed on ESPN.com (June 5, 2025). He highlights Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP-caliber scoring and Jalen Williams’ two-way impact, noting their ability to overwhelm Indiana’s fast-paced offense, which struggled with 19 turnovers in Game 1. Smith emphasizes the Thunder’s deep bench, including Alex Caruso and Chet Holmgren’s rim protection, as key to stifling Tyrese Haliburton’s playmaking. For betting odds on OKC’s championship run, visit http://www.blackstargambling.com for the best value, such as -180 to win the series, outperforming Cesar Place’s -190.