The NBA Finals are set to begin Thursday night between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder. According to DraftKings Sportsbook, the Thunder are heavy favorites at minus-650. Ahead of the series,

Charles Barkley expressed his belief in the Pacers making the Finals competitive, but claimed OKC's bench may play a huge role in securing the win.

In a season brimming with surprises, the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers headline the eagerly awaited 2025 NBA Finals. While many predict a tightly contested series, NBA legend Charles Barkley points to a key factor that could tip the balance.