It’s the moment NBA fans live for-unless, of course, your team’s on the court and you’re totally nervous. Game 7 of the NBA Finals is finally here! This time, it’s the Indiana Pacers going head-to-head with the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. After six games of pure madness, there has been incredible parity throughout the series, with both teams staging comebacks of at least 15 points to win a game, including Tyrese Haliburton’s game-winning shot in Game 1 and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 15-point fourth quarter to win Game 4.
This is the second time that both teams have played in the NBA Finals, and a win in Game 7 would mean their first NBA title for both franchises. The Thunder lost the Finals in 2012, but the franchise won a title back in Seattle in 1979. However, they have never won one in Oklahoma. This season, they finished the regular season with the best record in franchise history (68-14)-the sixth-best in NBA history-and the best point differential ever.
The Pacers lost the 2000 Finals, and they would be the third team in history to win the championship after entering the tournament with a lower seed than No. 3. Before the series began, they were the heaviest underdogs in the Finals since the Pistons in 2004 against the Lakers.
Stakes Sky-High: A First Title and a Legacy Moment
There’s a lot more at stake than just the franchise’s first title. For the young players on the court, these last 48 minutes – or more, if we go into overtime – will be the biggest game of their careers. After all, there have only been 19 Game 7s in the NBA, not counting this year, and just five in the last 30 years. If you’re an NBA fan, then you know that the last Game 7 was incredible. It featured “The Block” by LeBron James, and the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Golden State Warriors on their home court after the best regular season for any team (73-9)
Before that, the Miami Heat beat the San Antonio Spurs in 2013 with LeBron James. Before that, in the last Lakers vs. Celtics finals, Kobe Bryant won the MVP and his fifth championship. The Lakers have played in the most Game 7s (two as the Minneapolis Lakers), followed by the Boston Celtics with eight. One thing is for sure: these games are close. In the last eight NBA Finals to go to Game 7, the contest was decided by single digits. Ten of the 19 games had a margin of victory of five points or less, so if you want to bet, back the Pacers at +7.5 before the odds change.
Game 7s: Where the Greats Shine Brightest
When the Finals go to seven games, the players who rise to the occasion become legends. LeBron has done it twice, Kobe once, Tim Duncan in 2005, Hakeem Olajuwon in 1994, and Larry Bird in 1984. The list goes on. Shai has the inside track to join them, but Haliburton or even Pascal Siakam could steal the show. Here’s an interesting fact: Back in 1969, Jerry West earned Finals MVP despite the Lakers losing to the Celtics in seven games-he’s the only player to do so. No one is aiming for that bittersweet honor tonight, though. This is about winning it all. Grab your popcorn and settle in on Sunday at 8 p.m. ET, let¡s hope this one to be a classic!
List of NBA Finals MVPs when the series reaches Game 7
- LeBron James (2013-2016)
- Kobe Bryant (2010)
- Tim Duncan (2005)
- Hakeem Olajuwon (1994)
- James Worthy (1988)
- Larry Bird (1984)
- Wes Unseld (1978)
- John Havlicek (1974)
- Willis Reed (1970)
- Jerry West (1969)
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