Both teams are offensive juggernauts. Last year the Pacers were the most efficient offensive team in NBA history and kept the same team in tact. This year OKC beat teams by the largest margin in NBA history. OKC and Indiana both play at an extremely fast pace, don't turn the ball over, and dare you to keep up offensively. Indiana has one of the deepest benches and their main strategy is to push pace and wear you down. We saw this during the Knicks series as NY just couldn't keep up. On the flip side OKC has just as deep of a bench (if not deeper) and has played at a touch higher pace in the playoffs and regular season. OKC is the one team that will run with you for the whole game and can match your offense intensity. There are two main reasons why I believe the Thunder will beat the Pacers. The path that got them here and the Pacers lack of defense. I preached all last year that the Pacers defense cannot be trusted and nothing has changed imo. The Pacers were middle of the pack in the regular season and the 9th best team in the playoffs. That's simply not good enough. OKC was the best defense in the regular season, has the best rating in the playoffs, and #1 in defending the fast break. Now let's look at the path that got the Thunder here for preparing for the Pacers offense. OKC just played the Wolves with one of the best defenses in the playoffs and regular season. This should feel a lot easier coming into this series to score. Before that they played the Nuggets who play with fast pace, top 5 offense, championship pedigree, and have the best player in the league. Before that, the Grizzlies who play with the fastest pace in the league. Couldn't have a better path to be battle tested and ready to go.
I realize they're -700 but said I'd give more of a breakdown from my previous thread. OKC future backers let's make that moolah!
Game 1:
OKC -9 (-105) Superbook (1u)
OKC has won by double digits at home in the playoffs 7 of 9 games. 34-14-2 (71%) ATS as a home favorite.
Action Network data:
The underdog in Game 1 of the NBA Finals has struggled historically. Game 1 NBA Finals dogs are 2-18 SU and 3-17 ATS since 2005 and 4-25 SU, 8-21 ATS since 1996.
In the last 20 years, underdogs of above 5 points in Game 1 are 0-12 SU and 1-11 ATS in Game 1's.
-9.5 is the 2nd-biggest Game 1 spread since 2001.
bol either way
Not to pop your Bubble..but I believe we have a very Live Dog ( -700) who couldn't have more Motive to Play Loose with such insurmountable odds against ANY success... #1 Pacers with their Super Experienced COACH Carlisle, Championship Pedigre
guiding them forward, What More could any such Underdog want for a Leader to Follow..especially against such a colossal previously failure as OKC HC..
I'll still support Pacers to make it a 6 game series at Least...But, I still don't, can't, and WONT believe that OKC is such a "sure thing " and better team than this Feisty up tempo Indiana Pacers can defeat 
@Crusher13
I always like to hear both sides of the story and talk hoops.
I give them a 10% probability at victory. Nothing is a sure thing. The Pacers offense has been very impressive this postseason. I think Carlisle is a good coach but he lacks an elite superstar and a top ten defense. Both things he had on that Mavericks roster. OKC coach was COY last year and they accomplished historic milestones this year so I don’t think he’s been a failure.
I have a Pacers guru in one of my betting groups. He had a +2200 ECF ticket. He told me he’s betting the Pacers in a few ways large. Over 5.5 games at +105, Pacers team totals over, and full games over early on. If I liked the Pacers to compete I would be on the over 5.5 games at plus money. Then again, I went large on the Mavericks last year at o5.5 games and took a L. bol
well before playoffs started I bet OKC to beat Indiana in the finals at +5000 for a 20.00 wager to win 1220.00 and then before the Knicks series I bet Indiana to beat OKC at +1100 50 to win 500 so 70.00 wagered least I can win is 500 but I do like the odds I got with OKC at +5000 and now they are -700 not bad
this year the dogs in game 1 of every series I think have done well anyone know what the record for the dogs in game 1 have been or even the road team in game 1??
gl
@RavensOsNHoes
They’re leading the playoffs with 40% 3-pt shooting. Regression is due!
@RUM151
OKC to beat Indiana in the finals at +5000
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