CLEVELAND, Ohio — In a sports landscape often dominated by major markets and established superstars, the 2025 NBA Finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers represents something different — a return to basketball in its purest form.

While some fans and media members have already labeled this a “small market” series that won’t attract massive viewership, the Wine and Gold Talk podcast hosts argue this matchup offers something more substantial than mere brand recognition.

“These are two teams that America doesn’t have a lot of familiarity with. There’s an opportunity for that to change after this,” Jimmy Watkins said on the podcast.

This unfamiliarity doesn’t diminish the quality of basketball that fans are about to witness; rather, it creates an opportunity to spotlight

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