Our NBA Finals preview is here! If this is the matchup you expected, you’re probably from Indiana. Even after taking a 2-0 series lead over the Bucks in the first round, the Pacers were still +6600 to win the NBA finals. Now, they find themselves 4 wins away from one of the greatest playoff runs of all time. 

This path to a banner hanging from Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indy won’t get any easier, as the Pacers have worse odds of winning this series than the New York Jets have to make the playoffs in this upcoming NFL season…

Tyrese Haliburton has had an insane stretch of playoff games recently, playing with his full confidence and skill set on display. However, in the two matchups vs OKC during this regular season, when matched up against Lou Dort in 122 possessions, has shot only 10 times for a total of 8 points. That’s rough.

What do the Pacers Need to Win?

There are a couple of important keys for the Pacers to take this championship home to Indy. First off, they have to get Haliburton going. Hali averaged just 11 ppg against OKC this regular season. On the opposite side, the Pacers will have to put heavy pressure on SGA. Shai averaged 39 ppg in their regular season matchups, so limiting him as a scorer should be Indiana’s number one concern.

This series is set to kick off tonight in Oklahoma City. Let’s hope for a competitive series.