The NBA Finals are here at last. It's MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander the 80-win Oklahoma City Thunder against Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers .

What will be the four biggest keys for the Thunder to put away the Pacers and win its first NBA championship? Pre-order book on Thunder's run to NBA Finals

Will the Thunder defense dominate again?

Even though there are all sorts of factors in an NBA Finals, I'm going to keep it simple. Suffocating, oppressive defense has been the difference for the Thunder — it was during the regular season and has been throughout the playoffs — and it will be the key to beating the Pacers, too. Indiana plays fast; its 117.7 offensive rating is second-best in these playoffs. But you know who's right behind? The Thunder with an 117.1 offensiv

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