The Indiana Pacers just knocked off the New York Knicks. They’re in the NBA Finals. But oddsmakers still won’t show respect. The Oklahoma City Thunder opened as massive -750 favorites at ESPN BET. The Pacers? Huge +525 underdogs. That’s a serious gap. Only the 2017-18 Golden State Warriors had shorter odds entering the Finals in the last two decades. It feels like the Pacers disrespect has hit another level. Oddsmakers basically think this series will be over before it begins.
The Pacers ‘Disrespect’ Continues in the NBA Finals
OKC’s Defensive Edge Fuels the Gap
Let’s be fair — the Thunder have been dominant. They beat the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games. They’re back in the Finals for the first time since 2013.
Defensively, they’re elite. OKC finished the regular season with the league’s top defensive rating. In the playoffs, they’ve only gotten better.
Luguentz Dort, a first-team All-Defensive selection, leads their perimeter defense. Inside, Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein protect the rim like a fortress. Together, they make the Thunder nearly nine points per game better defensively than the Pacers. That’s a lot.
The Pacers disrespect partly stems from this defensive gap. They don’t have an All-Defensive player. Not one. That’s a rare disadvantage for a Finals team.
Underdogs Rarely Win It All
History doesn’t help the Pacers’ case either.
Only two teams in the past 50 years have won the NBA Finals with greater than +200 odds — the 2003-04 Detroit Pistons and the 2018-19 Toronto Raptors. Both teams had unique advantages.
The Pistons had multiple All-Defensive players. They also ranked among the best defensive teams all season.
The Raptors got lucky breaks. Kevin Durant tore his Achilles. Klay Thompson tore his ACL. Without those injuries, the Warriors likely win.
This Pacers team? They’re not elite defensively. And unless Shai Gilgeous-Alexander gets hurt, nothing short of a miracle would shift the odds. Even then, they probably wouldn’t be favored.
Still, this isn’t a lost cause. It’s just another chapter in the ongoing Pacers ‘disrespect’ saga.
They Keep Proving People Wrong
This team entered the season as 50-to-1 title longshots. Nobody expected them to make it past the first round. They reached the Eastern Conference Finals. Then they beat a battle-tested Knicks squad in six games.
Let’s not forget — this Pacers team has gone 46-18 since January 1st. That’s no fluke. That’s championship-caliber basketball over half a season.
And yet, even after that, people doubt them. The Thunder are great, yes. But the Pacers earned their spot.
Disrespect Could Be Fuel for the Pacers
Here’s the thing: thedisrespect might actually help them. Players thrive on slights. They don’t forget headlines, betting odds, or doubt. Tyrese Haliburton is a ‘petty’ basketballer that won’t forget any slights.
This group already has the underdog mindset. They’ve overcome injuries, skepticism, and tough matchups. Being counted out again? That’s nothing new. In fact, it might be exactly what drives them to another upset.
Let’s Hope for a Healthy, Fun Series
Above all, let’s hope the series stays injury-free. We’ve seen injuries ruin Finals before — think of Durant and Thompson in 2019. If both teams stay healthy, we’re in for a fun series. The Thunder want to solidify their place as the league’s next dynasty.
The Pacers want to prove that belief beats numbers. Don’t count them out just yet. The disrespect might just be their biggest weapon.
© Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
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