Oklahoma City is about to host a highly anticipated clash as Indiana faces the Thunder in Game 7 of the NBA Finals on Sunday night, with the victor earning the esteemed Larry O’Brien Trophy. Historically, the odds are in favor of the home team, which has a strong record of 15-4 in Game 7 of the finals. However, there’s a notable exception from 2016 when the Cleveland Cavaliers triumphed over the Golden State Warriors on the road.
Scoring 40 or more points individually in a Game 7 of the NBA Finals has proven rare and elusive, with such performances typically leading to defeat. Jerry West managed 42 points in Game 7 of the 1969 series, and Elgin Baylor added 41 in the 1962 showdown, though both efforts came in losses to the Boston Celtics. The highest-scoring winning performances in a Game 7 belong to Boston’s Tom Heinsohn with 37 points in 1957, and more recently, LeBron James, who also recorded 37 points against San Antonio in 2013.
Despite both Oklahoma City and Indiana being high-scoring teams, with averages among the top in the league, breaking the 100-point mark in a Game 7 of the NBA Finals has not happened since 1988. Typically, teams fall short of even reaching 95 points, as observed in recent match-ups: 2016’s game saw Cleveland win 93-89, while 2013’s featured Miami and San Antonio with scores of 95-88. Historical low totals suggest Sunday may follow a similar pattern.
Close contests are a hallmark of Game 7 NBA Finals, with an average margin of victory of just 6.9 points. Eight consecutive such games have been resolved by fewer than ten points, underscoring the tight competition. Rarely have teams seen double-digit victories, with only four instances throughout the history of these games. The narrowest margin was a single point, favoring Syracuse over Fort Wayne in 1955, highlighting the dramatic nature Game 7 often delivers.
Historically speaking, Oklahoma City, holding the No. 1 seed, becomes the 22nd top-seeded team to participate in a Game 7, with its forebears boasting a mixed record of 12 wins against 9 losses. Indiana steps in as only the fourth No. 4 seed to reach this stage, with its predecessors splitting outcomes across three attempts.
This Game 7 presents a unique scenario for many involved. Indiana’s Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner carry moderate experience, having each played three previous Game 7s. Meanwhile, Aaron Nesmith remains undefeated in his two experiences at this stage, both achieved during Eastern Conference semifinals. For the Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a two-time Game 7 participant averaging 27 points, and Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton, featuring an impressive 26-point debut, the stakes have never been higher.
As the countdown continues toward Sunday’s climactic event, some lesser-known figures on the court will face the critical glare of a Game 7 for the very first time. The NBA’s officiating crew for the game remains undisclosed until the morning of the matchup, yet it’s predicted that for at least two referees, this will be their inaugural experience on the Finals’ Game 7 stage. Absent from the roster are familiar faces from past finals, save for the experienced Scott Foster, believed to be a potential candidate for this game’s referee listing.