NBA Finals matchup is set, as the Indiana Pacers will take on the Oklahoma City Thunder with Game 1 tipping off on June 5. Both teams are battle-tested and will now face

The small markets get the big stage in the NBA Finals that begin Thursday. For Oklahoma City, it’s a second trip since moving from Seattle in 2008.

PM EST. The Indiana Pacers face off against the team with the best record in the NBA, the Oklahoma City Thunder.

THE OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER AND THE INDIANA PACERS The NBA Finals are here, and they're going to be an absolute dandy. Tonight, the Thunder host the Pacers in Game 1 of what should be an enthralling matchup.

The Athletic's sports media reporters Andrew Marchand and Richard Deitsch preview the NBA Finals through its key media storylines.

The NBA Finals get underway tonight, with the Western conference champions Oklahoma City Thunder hosting the Eastern conference champions Indiana Pacers in game one of a best-of-seven series.

The NBA Finals are off and running, with the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers tied with the series shifting to Indianapolis for Game 3 on Wednesday. But does it really feel like the Finals? I don’t mean because of the small-market teams — I’ll rest the slander of the midwest for today — or perceived lack of star power.