Pacers will be the Biggest Underdogs to win the NBA Finals if they win over the Thunder

[One Last Shot]

several years ago in the teens, BOTH finals teams would need their stars. since then the bucks had giannis+great support, denver had jokic+ great support, and the celts...it's not like lebron hunting for stars @heat and @cavs, or gsw grabbing kd.

this year, indy has none and okc has ONE+ a deep good supporting cast. essentially both team are operating in the same environment. it's been parity gradually creeping up and all the old superstars getting old

GSW was able to walk the west for years with just 1 and briefly 2 stars

gsw had 3 hofer's, maybe 4 with iggy, maybe, and 5 with kd.....but at least built on three.

but for context, could anyone even name one player on indy before the playoffs and even he is struggling for recognition. how many pacers would even start on most of the ring teams of the millenium. would any pacer start on okc even???

Just because you are ignorant about the Pacers doesn't mean everyone else is.

[Lalouie]

GSW was able to walk the west for years with just 1 and briefly 2 stars

gsw had 3 hofer's, maybe 4 with iggy, maybe, and 5 with kd.....but at least built on three.

but for context, could anyone even name one player on indy before the playoffs and even he is struggling for recognition. how many pacers would even start on most of the ring teams of the millenium. would any pacer start on okc even???

Just because you are ignorant about the Pacers doesn't mean everyone else is.

then that makes two of us

[durden_tyler]

OKC still the big favorites so no celebrating yet but stealing Game 1 means my bet at least has a chance. i expect a letdown Pacers game and statement Thunder win in Game 2 so it's really about what's going to happen in Games 3 and 4. Even tied after four games will be seen as a success for Indiana but they do have a chance to put the pressure on OKC and that's good enough!

[cgf]

OKC still the big favorites so no celebrating yet but stealing Game 1 means my bet at least has a chance. i expect a letdown Pacers game and statement Thunder win in Game 2 so it's really about what's going to happen in Games 3 and 4. Even tied after four games will be seen as a success for Indiana but they do have a chance to put the pressure on OKC and that's good enough!

I wouldn't be so quick to assume OKC takes game 2.

[durden_tyler]

OKC still the big favorites so no celebrating yet but stealing Game 1 means my bet at least has a chance. i expect a letdown Pacers game and statement Thunder win in Game 2 so it's really about what's going to happen in Games 3 and 4. Even tied after four games will be seen as a success for Indiana but they do have a chance to put the pressure on OKC and that's good enough!

I wouldn't be so quick to assume OKC takes game 2.

That would be the real shocker (Indy going 2-0) and just very improbable... Again, Pacers already did their job this early part of the series but hey, they are the comeback kids and consistently playing at a high level whatever the score (series and game) so maybe we'll have another close game in Game 2. i don't see it... OKC -11.5 is the current line; Vegas just has no respect for the Pacers and/or knows EVERYONE and their grandma will be betting the Thunder moneyline/spread so i guess that line makes sense...

[cgf]

OKC still the big favorites so no celebrating yet but stealing Game 1 means my bet at least has a chance. i expect a letdown Pacers game and statement Thunder win in Game 2 so it's really about what's going to happen in Games 3 and 4. Even tied after four games will be seen as a success for Indiana but they do have a chance to put the pressure on OKC and that's good enough!

I wouldn't be so quick to assume OKC takes game 2.

That would be the real shocker (Indy going 2-0) and just very improbable... Again, Pacers already did their job this early part of the series but hey, they are the comeback kids and consistently playing at a high level whatever the score (series and game) so maybe we'll have another close game in Game 2. i don't see it... OKC -11.5 is the current line; Vegas just has no respect for the Pacers and/or knows EVERYONE and their grandma will be betting the Thunder moneyline/spread so i guess that line makes sense...

Their job is too bury OKC, they’re not just going to skip game two to focus on defending home court. This team is too tough and too good on the road for that soft BS. Especially now that they’ve seen what OKC is all about.

Vegas is trying to predict where people will bet, not what will happen in the game. A lot of people are making the assumption you are, even amongst people who aren't under-rating Indy really badly...like so many on here have...so the Pacers to win game 2 should be juicy if you bet on individual games.

[nbafan38]

I think the odds are too extreme because both teams are making their first finals run. Pacers arguably got deeper experience last season and have Siakam who is the only one to be a star player in a finals series. Carlisle is also the more experienced coach.

I liked the thunder to win this series and still do but i actually agree with this 100%. Thunder are too unproven to be this massive of a favorite.

[nbafan38]

I wouldn't be so quick to assume OKC takes game 2.

That would be the real shocker (Indy going 2-0) and just very improbable... Again, Pacers already did their job this early part of the series but hey, they are the comeback kids and consistently playing at a high level whatever the score (series and game) so maybe we'll have another close game in Game 2. i don't see it... OKC -11.5 is the current line; Vegas just has no respect for the Pacers and/or knows EVERYONE and their grandma will be betting the Thunder moneyline/spread so i guess that line makes sense...

Their job is too bury OKC, they’re not just going to skip game two to focus on defending home court. This team is too tough and too good on the road for that soft BS. Especially now that they’ve seen what OKC is all about.

Vegas is trying to predict where people will bet, not what will happen in the game. A lot of people are making the assumption you are, even amongst people who aren't under-rating Indy really badly...like so many on here have...so the Pacers to win game 2 should be juicy if you bet on individual games.

Indiana is 2-0 this postseason when up 1-0 on the road so you have a very valid point about Indiana not being your typical team up 1-0 get routed game 2 on the road scenario. On the flip side OKC when down 0-1 against Denver won by 43 and has won 5 times at home this postseason by 20+ so it's definitely a chest match here predicting this. I'd lean OKC blowout but if close late they could get tight while pacers are loose.

[cgf]

That would be the real shocker (Indy going 2-0) and just very improbable... Again, Pacers already did their job this early part of the series but hey, they are the comeback kids and consistently playing at a high level whatever the score (series and game) so maybe we'll have another close game in Game 2. i don't see it... OKC -11.5 is the current line; Vegas just has no respect for the Pacers and/or knows EVERYONE and their grandma will be betting the Thunder moneyline/spread so i guess that line makes sense...

Their job is too bury OKC, they’re not just going to skip game two to focus on defending home court. This team is too tough and too good on the road for that soft BS. Especially now that they’ve seen what OKC is all about.

Vegas is trying to predict where people will bet, not what will happen in the game. A lot of people are making the assumption you are, even amongst people who aren't under-rating Indy really badly...like so many on here have...so the Pacers to win game 2 should be juicy if you bet on individual games.

Indiana is 2-0 this postseason when up 1-0 on the road so you have a very valid point about Indiana not being your typical team up 1-0 get routed game 2 on the road scenario. On the flip side OKC when down 0-1 against Denver won by 43 and has won 5 times at home this postseason by 20+ so it's definitely a chest match here predicting this. I'd lean OKC blowout but if close late they could get tight while pacers are loose.

Yeah. With their depth, they can afford to go all out for 48 minutes 7 times in 2 weeks. They don't have to make the kind of business decisions to conserve their energy like the Nuggets did and they're a much smarter team than Minnesota who doesn't lay the intermittent duds (regardless of the opponent) that the Wolves do.

Plus they're just so resilient that I think they feed more off the opposing fans than their own, which is why they've been better on the road this postseason. I think there's a great chance that this series hits game 4 with Indiana leading 2-1...but I'd bet on the pacers winning the first two before losing at home, rather than dropping game 2 in OKC before coming back hard in Gainsbridge.

It takes teams at least a game to adjust to the unique challenge the Pacers pose, and losing the first in a heartbreaker makes it easy for a team to choose to believe that they don't need to adjust but just got unlucky...which IMO is what buried us, if we had lost game 1 as clearly as we lost game 2, that ECF might have ended very differently, with Thibs starting to make big adjustments a game earlier.

[nbafan38]

Their job is too bury OKC, they’re not just going to skip game two to focus on defending home court. This team is too tough and too good on the road for that soft BS. Especially now that they’ve seen what OKC is all about.

Vegas is trying to predict where people will bet, not what will happen in the game. A lot of people are making the assumption you are, even amongst people who aren't under-rating Indy really badly...like so many on here have...so the Pacers to win game 2 should be juicy if you bet on individual games.

Indiana is 2-0 this postseason when up 1-0 on the road so you have a very valid point about Indiana not being your typical team up 1-0 get routed game 2 on the road scenario. On the flip side OKC when down 0-1 against Denver won by 43 and has won 5 times at home this postseason by 20+ so it's definitely a chest match here predicting this. I'd lean OKC blowout but if close late they could get tight while pacers are loose.

Yeah. With their depth, they can afford to go all out for 48 minutes 7 times in 2 weeks. They don't have to make the kind of business decisions to conserve their energy like the Nuggets did. That's why they can maintain that kind of pressure on both ends of the court.

Plus they're just so resilient that I think they feed more off the opposing fans than their own, which is why they've been better on the road this postseason. I think there's a great chance that this series hits game 4 with Indiana leading 2-1...but I'd bet on the pacers winning the first two before losing at home, rather than dropping game 2 in OKC before coming back hard in Gainsbridge.

It takes teams at least a game to adjust to the unique challenge the Pacers pose, and losing the first in a heartbreaker makes it easy for a team to choose to believe that they don't need to adjust but just got unlucky...which IMO is what buried us more than anything, if we had lost game as clearly as we lost game 2, that ECF might have ended very differently, with Thibs starting to make big adjustments a game earlier.

yes from a pacers focused lens that narrative of going up 2-0 and then losing game 3 at home makes perfect sense given what's happened in the playoffs so far in their series. However from an OKC lense they are far more dominant at home than on the road and can blow a team completely out of a gym when they are clicking. They also one of the few teams that has the depth and the youth to likely keep up with Indianas relentlessness for four quarters. I'm also a bettor and thinking of it from a betting lense, i certainly wouldn't take OKC ML in this spot but OKC -11 or even higher feels like the best play as when they win at home it's usually in dominant fashion and the pacers were blown out once in NY and once in Mil showing they aren't totally immune to blowout losses on the road when in control of a series.

[JJ_PR]

I think people have been underestimating the Pacers, even after stealing game 1. Their 1-2 punch in Hali and Siakam is as good as any duo in the league. Their depth is fantastic, and their coach is highly regarded.

OKC has the best player, but the Pacers are not underdogs anymore in my eyes. They've been the second-best team record wise since January.

The Pacers are the most entertaining team I've seen in a long time. The number of comebacks these playoffs is staggering, unbelievable.

[ShootersShoot]

several years ago in the teens, BOTH finals teams would need their stars. since then the bucks had giannis+great support, denver had jokic+ great support, and the celts...it's not like lebron hunting for stars @heat and @cavs, or gsw grabbing kd.

this year, indy has none and okc has ONE+ a deep good supporting cast. essentially both team are operating in the same environment. it's been parity gradually creeping up and all the old superstars getting old

GSW was able to walk the west for years with just 1 and briefly 2 stars

gsw had 3 hofer's, maybe 4 with iggy, maybe, and 5 with kd.....but at least built on three.

but for context, could anyone even name one player on indy before the playoffs and even he is struggling for recognition. how many pacers would even start on most of the ring teams of the millenium. would any pacer start on okc even???

Arent we all nba fans? Literally every one of us could name the players on indy right?

[ShootersShoot]

several years ago in the teens, BOTH finals teams would need their stars. since then the bucks had giannis+great support, denver had jokic+ great support, and the celts...it's not like lebron hunting for stars @heat and @cavs, or gsw grabbing kd.

this year, indy has none and okc has ONE+ a deep good supporting cast. essentially both team are operating in the same environment. it's been parity gradually creeping up and all the old superstars getting old

GSW was able to walk the west for years with just 1 and briefly 2 stars

gsw had 3 hofer's, maybe 4 with iggy, maybe, and 5 with kd.....but at least built on three.

but for context, could anyone even name one player on indy before the playoffs and even he is struggling for recognition. how many pacers would even start on most of the ring teams of the millenium. would any pacer start on okc even???

Arent we all nba fans? Literally every one of us could name the players on indy right?

[jkvonny]

gsw had 3 hofer's, maybe 4 with iggy, maybe, and 5 with kd.....but at least built on three.

but for context, could anyone even name one player on indy before the playoffs and even he is struggling for recognition. how many pacers would even start on most of the ring teams of the millenium. would any pacer start on okc even???

Just because you are ignorant about the Pacers doesn't mean everyone else is.

then that makes two of us

Lol

[durden_tyler]

Indiana is 2-0 this postseason when up 1-0 on the road so you have a very valid point about Indiana not being your typical team up 1-0 get routed game 2 on the road scenario. On the flip side OKC when down 0-1 against Denver won by 43 and has won 5 times at home this postseason by 20+ so it's definitely a chest match here predicting this. I'd lean OKC blowout but if close late they could get tight while pacers are loose.

Yeah. With their depth, they can afford to go all out for 48 minutes 7 times in 2 weeks. They don't have to make the kind of business decisions to conserve their energy like the Nuggets did. That's why they can maintain that kind of pressure on both ends of the court.

Plus they're just so resilient that I think they feed more off the opposing fans than their own, which is why they've been better on the road this postseason. I think there's a great chance that this series hits game 4 with Indiana leading 2-1...but I'd bet on the pacers winning the first two before losing at home, rather than dropping game 2 in OKC before coming back hard in Gainsbridge.

It takes teams at least a game to adjust to the unique challenge the Pacers pose, and losing the first in a heartbreaker makes it easy for a team to choose to believe that they don't need to adjust but just got unlucky...which IMO is what buried us more than anything, if we had lost game as clearly as we lost game 2, that ECF might have ended very differently, with Thibs starting to make big adjustments a game earlier.

yes from a pacers focused lens that narrative of going up 2-0 and then losing game 3 at home makes perfect sense given what's happened in the playoffs so far in their series. However from an OKC lense they are far more dominant at home than on the road and can blow a team completely out of a gym when they are clicking. They also one of the few teams that has the depth and the youth to likely keep up with Indianas relentlessness for four quarters. I'm also a bettor and thinking of it from a betting lense, i certainly wouldn't take OKC ML in this spot but OKC -11 or even higher feels like the best play as when they win at home it's usually in dominant fashion and the pacers were blown out once in NY and once in Mil showing they aren't totally immune to blowout losses on the road when in control of a series.

Good call. Hope you placed that -11 bet like i did. i had -10.5 so never really felt threatened all game long in Game 2 because as expected the Thunder looked to get that statement win.

Thunder are -5.0 in Game 3. Interesting line, i was expecting -7.5 or -8.5.


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[azcatz11]

Yeah. With their depth, they can afford to go all out for 48 minutes 7 times in 2 weeks. They don't have to make the kind of business decisions to conserve their energy like the Nuggets did. That's why they can maintain that kind of pressure on both ends of the court.

Plus they're just so resilient that I think they feed more off the opposing fans than their own, which is why they've been better on the road this postseason. I think there's a great chance that this series hits game 4 with Indiana leading 2-1...but I'd bet on the pacers winning the first two before losing at home, rather than dropping game 2 in OKC before coming back hard in Gainsbridge.

It takes teams at least a game to adjust to the unique challenge the Pacers pose, and losing the first in a heartbreaker makes it easy for a team to choose to believe that they don't need to adjust but just got unlucky...which IMO is what buried us more than anything, if we had lost game as clearly as we lost game 2, that ECF might have ended very differently, with Thibs starting to make big adjustments a game earlier.

yes from a pacers focused lens that narrative of going up 2-0 and then losing game 3 at home makes perfect sense given what's happened in the playoffs so far in their series. However from an OKC lense they are far more dominant at home than on the road and can blow a team completely out of a gym when they are clicking. They also one of the few teams that has the depth and the youth to likely keep up with Indianas relentlessness for four quarters. I'm also a bettor and thinking of it from a betting lense, i certainly wouldn't take OKC ML in this spot but OKC -11 or even higher feels like the best play as when they win at home it's usually in dominant fashion and the pacers were blown out once in NY and once in Mil showing they aren't totally immune to blowout losses on the road when in control of a series.

Good call. Hope you placed that -11 bet like i did. i had -10.5 so never really felt threatened all game long in Game 2 because as expected the Thunder looked to get that statement win.

Thunder are -5.0 in Game 3. Interesting line, i was expecting -7.5 or -8.5.


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I took Pacers +11.5

[durden_tyler]

yes from a pacers focused lens that narrative of going up 2-0 and then losing game 3 at home makes perfect sense given what's happened in the playoffs so far in their series. However from an OKC lense they are far more dominant at home than on the road and can blow a team completely out of a gym when they are clicking. They also one of the few teams that has the depth and the youth to likely keep up with Indianas relentlessness for four quarters. I'm also a bettor and thinking of it from a betting lense, i certainly wouldn't take OKC ML in this spot but OKC -11 or even higher feels like the best play as when they win at home it's usually in dominant fashion and the pacers were blown out once in NY and once in Mil showing they aren't totally immune to blowout losses on the road when in control of a series.

Good call. Hope you placed that -11 bet like i did. i had -10.5 so never really felt threatened all game long in Game 2 because as expected the Thunder looked to get that statement win.

Thunder are -5.0 in Game 3. Interesting line, i was expecting -7.5 or -8.5.


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I took Pacers +11.5

You took the Thunder in 5 games or 6 ? (For the series).

i am not too confident of my Pacers to win series bet, just more for the fun of it i guess but i really just want the underdog to win so let's see what happens in Games 3 and 4.

[Optms]

2 wins away.

[symbiotic]

I'm a Knicks fan who hopes the Pacers win. Mainly because the Pacers were really just "there" & hardly talked about for decades. Perfect underdog story.

[nbafan38]

Yeah. With their depth, they can afford to go all out for 48 minutes 7 times in 2 weeks. They don't have to make the kind of business decisions to conserve their energy like the Nuggets did. That's why they can maintain that kind of pressure on both ends of the court.

Plus they're just so resilient that I think they feed more off the opposing fans than their own, which is why they've been better on the road this postseason. I think there's a great chance that this series hits game 4 with Indiana leading 2-1...but I'd bet on the pacers winning the first two before losing at home, rather than dropping game 2 in OKC before coming back hard in Gainsbridge.

It takes teams at least a game to adjust to the unique challenge the Pacers pose, and losing the first in a heartbreaker makes it easy for a team to choose to believe that they don't need to adjust but just got unlucky...which IMO is what buried us more than anything, if we had lost game as clearly as we lost game 2, that ECF might have ended very differently, with Thibs starting to make big adjustments a game earlier.

yes from a pacers focused lens that narrative of going up 2-0 and then losing game 3 at home makes perfect sense given what's happened in the playoffs so far in their series. However from an OKC lense they are far more dominant at home than on the road and can blow a team completely out of a gym when they are clicking. They also one of the few teams that has the depth and the youth to likely keep up with Indianas relentlessness for four quarters. I'm also a bettor and thinking of it from a betting lense, i certainly wouldn't take OKC ML in this spot but OKC -11 or even higher feels like the best play as when they win at home it's usually in dominant fashion and the pacers were blown out once in NY and once in Mil showing they aren't totally immune to blowout losses on the road when in control of a series.

Good call. Hope you placed that -11 bet like i did. i had -10.5 so never really felt threatened all game long in Game 2 because as expected the Thunder looked to get that statement win.

Thunder are -5.0 in Game 3. Interesting line, i was expecting -7.5 or -8.5.


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I know this is a late response i actually alt lined OKC -13.5 first half in game 2 which ended up winning. Game went as I expected. I leaned Indiana at home in game 3 and okc yesterday but didn't bet either game. The series has gone basically as I expected though since game 1 with OKC controlling game 2 at home and barely get out of Indiana with a split (OKC far better at home than on road in playoffs in fact they are 2-7 ATS on the road).