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Indiana Pacers. Image via: Getty Images
As the Indiana Pacers prepare for their first NBA Finals appearance in nearly a quarter-century, one unexpected challenge has emerged before even stepping onto the hardwood: the favorite and the odds.
Additionally, Tyrese Haliburton and his squad, fresh off a playoff run full of upsets, find themselves battling delays caused by severe thunderstorms and tornado warnings that disrupted their travel to Game 1. In a series already stacked against them, Mother Nature has joined the opposition.
The Indiana Pacers face a major threat heading into Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder
Led by MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Oklahoma City Thunder finished the season with a 68-14 record, one of the best in league history, and entered the NBA Finals as colossal -700 favorites, according to Yahoo Sports.
The numbers place them among the most heavily favored teams in Finals history. To put things in perspective, consider these iconic comparisons—
- 2001 Lakers (-2000): With Shaq and Kobe in their prime, L.A. rolled through the playoffs 15-1, dominating the Sixers and claiming the title with ease.
- 2018 Warriors (-1075): Kevin Durant and company dismantled the Cavaliers in a clean 4-0 sweep.
- 1996 Bulls (-950): Michael Jordan’s record-setting 72-win team beat the Sonics in six games, cementing their dynasty.
- 2000 Lakers (-800): Shaq averaged a staggering 38 points per game as they defeated—ironically—the Indiana Pacers in six games.
- 2004 Lakers (-700): Despite a superteam lineup, they were shocked by the Pistons in a stunning 4-1 upset.
- 1986 Celtics (-700): Bird, McHale, and Parish outmatched the Rockets for a dominant win.
That last outlier, the 2004 Lakers, serves as a cautionary tale. Favorites don’t always finish the job, and this underdog Pacers team, led by Haliburton, is built to break narratives as they have so far in the playoffs.But the odds aren’t the only thunderous hurdle looming over the Pacers.
According to Fieldhouse Files reporter Scott Agness, severe weather caused a major delay in Indiana’s flight to Oklahoma City.“According to flight data, the plane landed at Will Rogers International Airport at 7:58 p.m. ET — five hours after takeoff, about twice as long as the expected flight time,” Agness reported.While the Pacers are expected to hold practices before each Finals game, the extended travel time and turbulent arrival are far from ideal.
ESPN’s Matchup Predictor only gives them a 34.4% chance to win Game 1, emphasizing the steep road ahead.Also Read: Bronny James and girlfriend Parker Whitfield spotted golfing with LeBron James during Hawaiian vacationStill, Haliburton’s crew thrives under pressure. After all, they’ve already knocked out higher seeds en route to this improbable Finals run. Now, with the elements and experts aligned against them, Indiana will need to summon more of their strength to fight against the Thunder in the finals.
English (US) ·