Chet Holmgren enters Game 6 of the NBA Finals with favorable odds to score the opening basket as the "Oklahoma City Thunder" visit the "Indiana Pacers" in a potential series-clinching matchup tonight.
"With how dominant we've been at securing the opening possession against the Pacers this season, I just focus on giving our team that first opportunity," the young Thunder center might say about his impressive jump ball record.
The statistics clearly favor Holmgren in this department. The second-year big man has won the opening tip in five of seven games against the Pacers this season, with Myles Turner only managing to gain the advantage in Game 5. That's quite a track record.
Interestingly, the Thunder have scored the first basket in all five games of the 2025 NBA Finals so far, establishing an early pattern that must concern Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle. This trend makes Thunder players the logical favorites to open the scoring again tonight when action begins at 8:30 pm ET on ABC.
The Thunder's Game 5 approach offers additional insight. They attacked the paint aggressively from the opening whistle, with their first three field goals coming from close range. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander also earned early free throws by driving to the basket. This paint-focused strategy suggests one of their big men – particularly Holmgren – could see early touches.
Holmgren's advantage extends beyond just winning jump balls. He leads his team in first-field-goal attempts, taking the initial shot in 17.3% of games he plays. Meanwhile, his frontcourt partner Isaiah Hartenstein has established himself as the more polished passer, frequently finding Holmgren for lobs when operating from the high post.
The "Pacers" face an uphill battle with Tyrese Haliburton dealing with a troublesome calf injury. However, the Indiana squad has repeatedly overcome challenging odds throughout their playoff run. With their passionate home crowd behind them at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, could they force a decisive Game 7?
