The one and only time the Indiana Pacers had a shot at NBA glory was in the 1999-2000 season when a Los Angeles Lakers team stacked with talent such as the late Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal claimed a 4-2 win over the Pacers. The finals that season went right up until the sixth game of the series with the Lakers sealing the trophy with a 116-111 win.
Fast forward twenty-four seasons and the Pacers have another chance to win their first NBA championship. This time, it is Oklahoma City Thunder that stand in their way and after a few closely fought matches, the Pacers remain on the brink of history. For Oklahoma, they sit in exactly the same boat as Indiana having been defeated in their one and only finals appearance in the 2011-2012 season. That season, Miami Heat prevailed 4-1 to break Oklahoma hearts.
But while Oklahoma have justified their tags as second favorites to win the championship this season, the Indiana Pacers have upset many betting markets to reach the finals stage and have put themselves in a good position to lift the Larry O’Brien trophy, potentially in less than a week’s time. Indiana found itself around the middle of the pack when the pre-season favorites lists were announced across sports betting operators (+6000). A slight misrepresentation considering Indiana made the Conference Final last season only to be beaten by eventual champions Boston Celtics.
The 0-4 blowout perhaps showed that the Pacers were not quite ready for their shot at the title, but this season, the team that finished 2nd in the Central Division have gone one step further, led by Pascal Siakam and Tyrese Haliburton in the offense. Those that find expert NBA picks at MegaTipsList and backed the Pacers before the first tip-off went up will be relishing the prospect of a generous win if Rick Carlisle’s side can get over the line.
The tie is finely poised with enough games left for either side to make a play for the trophy. Not since the 2015-2016 season has the NBA Finals gone down to the final match of the series, which could realistically be the case this season. Should the Pacers get over the line, Indiana will look at big 4th quarter plays in the first and third matches of the Finals when Carlisle’s team staged courageous comebacks to win both matches, the first match by a solitary point.
The Pacers stand on the brink of glory with locals and Indiana fans across the globe ready to celebrate a historic championship win. Their play and consistency throughout the season have set them up for this moment. All Indiana needs is the final push or even the final comeback to etch their name into NBA history.
