The game on Wednesday between Cleveland and Oklahoma City not only lived up to expectations but could very well be a glimpse of the NBA Finals to come.

I’m all for a best-of-seven series showcasing the thrilling basketball displayed in the Cavaliers’ 129-122 win over the Thunder.

Forget discussions about the size of the markets; let’s focus on high-quality, competitive basketball. It’s all about two teams filled with top talent that excel at both offense and defense.

Cleveland and Oklahoma City need to be on that stage.

As things stand now, they are the top teams in the league: Cleveland boasts a record of 32-4, while Oklahoma City sits at 30-6. Of course, this could change as both squads still face tough challenges. Oklahoma City has to navigate the strong Western Conference, and the Cavaliers will likely have to take on reigning champions Boston.

However, recent performances suggest that both teams—the Thunder, who recently saw a 15-game winning streak come to an end, and the Cavs, now riding an 11-game winning streak—are more than capable of making it to the Finals.

They are impressive both visually and statistically. Each team features standout players (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for the Thunder and Donovan Mitchell, Jarrett Allen, and Darius Garland for the Cavs), along with emerging stars (Jalen Williams from OKC and Evan Mobley from Cleveland). Both franchises are led by excellent coaches (Kenny Atkinson for Cleveland and Mark Daigneault for Oklahoma City) and have been cleverly constructed by their management teams (Sam Presti from OKC and Koby Altman from Cleveland).

Entertainment-wise, both teams deliver an enjoyable viewing experience—Cleveland leads the league in offense while ranking 8th defensively, whereas Oklahoma City sits 8th on offense and 1st on defense. They both move the ball effectively, with Cleveland recording 36 assists on 47 field goals made, and Oklahoma City achieving 35 assists on 48 made field goals.

The thrilling game from Wednesday featured 30 lead changes and eight ties. There were an astounding 84 points scored in the third quarter alone, and the fourth quarter saw an additional 46 points. Both teams never led by more than nine points, and with less than two minutes left in the game, the score stood at a tight 124-122 in favor of Cleveland.

Jarrett Allen, a 2022 All-Star, delivered an impressive performance with 25 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, and three steals, while Evan Mobley, inching closer to his own All-Star nod, contributed 21 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, one block, and one steal. Their duo of 6-foot-11 players creates an old-school presence while still adjusting to modern gameplay.

Under Atkinson’s guidance, the Cavaliers employ a contemporary style of play that prioritizes three-point shooting—ranking first in three-point percentage and third in three-pointers made per game.

They are versatile in how they can defeat their opponents, having scored 60 points in the paint at an efficient 65.2% shooting, alongside 45 points from beyond the arc at 41.7% shooting. Cleveland showcases a powerful inside-outside game complemented by solid depth.

The Thunder’s MVP frontrunner, Gilgeous-Alexander, put up 31 points, and if Williams, who added 25 points along with nine assists, five rebounds, three steals, and a block, is overlooked for the All-Star game, it would be a major oversight. Plus, Chet Holmgren is set to return from a hip injury later in the season, further strengthening the Thunder’s roster.

The Thunder’s trajectory has been building for several seasons now.

Will one of these teams reach the Finals? There’s a chance for either or even both.

For now, if it ends up being Thunder against Cavaliers, I’m all in.