Key Statistics Shaping the 2025 NBA Finals: Insights Before Game 6

As the 2025 NBA Finals approach a critical juncture with Game 6 scheduled for Thursday, June 20, 2025, at 8:30 PM ET, the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers are locked in a fierce battle. Currently, the Thunder lead the series 3-2, with the opportunity to clinch their first championship title. The stakes are high as the Pacers aim to extend the series to a decisive Game 7. This article delves into ten pivotal statistics that have shaped the Finals thus far, providing insights into team performances and strategies.

### Context and Significance The 2025 NBA Finals marks a noteworthy clash between two teams with contrasting styles. The Thunder, known for their aggressive defense and rebounding prowess, face the Pacers, who emphasize ball movement and shooting efficiency. With the series nearing its climax, understanding these statistics offers a deeper perspective on the teams' strategies and potential outcomes.

### Key Statistics 1. **Passes Per Game**: The Pacers have executed an impressive 598 passes over the first five games, averaging 120 passes per game. According to Second Spectrum tracking, this ball movement has been crucial for their offensive strategy, particularly against the Thunder's aggressive defense.

2. **Shooting Opportunities**: The Thunder have generated 31 more shooting opportunities than the Pacers throughout the series. While the Pacers maintain a higher true shooting percentage of 58.3% compared to the Thunder's 57.1%, the latter's ability to win the possession battle, marked by fewer turnovers and more offensive rebounds, has been a defining factor in their success.

3. **Steals**: Oklahoma City has recorded a remarkable 229 steals, the highest in any postseason since steals began being tracked. Alex Caruso, the Thunder's leader in steals, has contributed significantly to disrupting the Pacers' offensive flow, forcing 23 turnovers in Game 5 alone.

4. **Offensive Efficiency**: The Pacers' offensive rating of 110.1 points per 100 possessions in the Finals represents their lowest performance since the All-Star break. The combination of a high turnover rate and a dip in shooting efficiency has hindered their scoring potential.

5. **Scoring Differential**: The Thunder have outscored the Pacers by an average of 14.0 points per 100 possessions in their three victories, highlighting their dominance in crucial moments and their effectiveness at the free-throw line.

6. **Restricted Area Scoring**: Oklahoma City has outperformed Indiana in scoring within the restricted area by 65 points over the series, a stark contrast to Indiana's success from beyond the arc, where they have excelled with corner 3-pointers.

7. **Bench Contributions**: The Thunder's bench has outperformed the Pacers' bench, especially in minutes when star player Tyrese Haliburton was sidelined, underscoring the depth of Oklahoma City's roster.

8. **Three-Point Shooting**: Indiana has excelled in corner three-point shooting at a rate of 49.1%, yet their attempts have decreased significantly in recent games, impacting their offensive output.

9. **End-of-Clock Shooting**: Both teams have struggled with late-shot clock efficiency, combining for a mere 17.4% shooting from three-point range in the last six seconds of the shot clock, reflecting the pressure and intensity of playoff basketball.

10. **Ball-Screen Switching**: The Pacers have scored only 0.63 points per chance when the Thunder employed switches on ball screens, indicating a need for adjusted tactics to exploit favorable matchups.

### Conclusion As the series heads into Game 6, the statistical insights reveal the strategic complexities at play in the 2025 NBA Finals. The Thunder's ability to capitalize on defensive disruptions and possession advantages has set them on the brink of championship glory. Conversely, the Pacers must adapt their strategy, particularly in terms of ball movement and shooting efficiency, to extend the series and keep their championship hopes alive. With the championship title within reach for Oklahoma City, all eyes will be on the court as both teams battle for glory in what promises to be a thrilling showdown.