OKCPD upping patrols ahead of Game 6 of NBA Finals

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Downtown Oklahoma City was relatively quiet Wednesday night, with anticipation building ahead of Game 6 of the NBA Finals.

However, it is expected that downtown will be energized Thursday night as the Thunder lead the Pacers 3-2 in the series, and have a chance to win it all in Indiana.

While the City wants fans to have fun and celebrate if they win, Oklahoma City Police wants you to be careful and considerate.

"Officers here are aware of the situation and the gravity of the situation," Gary Knight with OKCPD said.

Oklahoma City may be on the cusp of one of the biggest celebrations we've ever seen this playoff run.

"We know that oftentimes when a team wins a championship like this, a lot of people go out to celebrate, and we're going to have a lot of officers out there," Knight said.

The Thunder have a chance to clinch the series Thursday night and become NBA Champs.

"Although it's in Indiana, there will be a lot of folks in downtown," Knight said.

Knight says this is why they are upping patrols.

"We will have enough officers down there that pretty much anywhere you look, you'll be able to see a police officer," Knight said.

They understand the magnitude of winning the NBA Championship but want you, the fans, to celebrate safely.

Despite the warning, police expect the best fans in the league to be on their best behavior.

"We're not anticipating any trouble, but we're going to be out there to make sure everybody is safe and has a good time," Knight said.

Thunder fans have proven that they can bring the energy. So, if the Thunder win, celebrate the night away, but when it comes to being rowdy, officers say 'no 'cer.'

"There's a lot of moving parts to the Thunder winning a championship," Knight said. "I'm not talking about what they have to do, that's hard enough. Then the onus is on us to try to keep everybody safe, and that's a job we will gladly do if we can get a championship out of it."

On top of that, our sources tell us that if the Thunder do win, fans are asked not to welcome the team home at the airport like they always do.

Here's why, their plane may not arrive until much later, possibly around five in the morning.

That would cause serious congestion at the airport.