It would be the first NBA title for either of the two energetic fan bases and their exciting young teams. The Thunder, led by newly minted league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, is the early favorite.

Indiana Fever, Purdue Boilermakers Prove Pacers' Rick Carlisle Right originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Between Bobby Knight, Larry Bird, Hoosiers, and high school gyms across the state, Indiana is the basketball capital of America, and the Indiana Pacers, after 25 years, finally punched their ticket to the NBA Finals.

The Indiana Pacers are on their way to their second NBA Finals appearance in their franchise’s existence.  More Pacers news: Pacers Legend Reggie Miller Picks S

Here are the winners and losers from the closeout game of the Eastern Conference finals between the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks:

Tyrese Haliburton didn’t skip another chance to troll Knicks fans. After his Indiana Pacers eliminated the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals, Haliburton took aim at actor and Knicks superfan Ben Stiller.

The Indiana Pacers are heading to the NBA Finals. After taking down the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals, Indiana has now clinched a spot to go

Ben Stiller skipped the trip to Indianapolis for Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Championships, and Spike Lee was nowhere to be found during the Knicks' last game of the playoffs.