Pacers Championship Run: Unlikely NBA Finals Hopefuls?
- The Indiana Pacers' improbable run toward an NBA championship continues, fueled by a Game 3 victory over the Thunder that gave them a 2-1 lead in the Finals.
- To put their journey into outlook, consider that the 2014-15 Warriors, at 28-1, were the only recent champion with remotely similar preseason odds.
- The Pacers' NBA championship odds actually lengthened as the season progressed, a rarity among long-shot contenders.
The Indiana Pacers are on the cusp of an unprecedented NBA championship run, currently leading the Finals 2-1 against all odds. Preseason predictions cast them as a 66-1 long shot, yet this team is proving the doubters wrong. The Pacers’ journey to the Finals is a testament to their grit, making them the most unlikely contenders in NBA history. This season has been a rollercoaster, with the team’s odds actually lengthening as they progressed. Even with 80-1 odds entering the postseason, they are now challenging the Mavericks and Rockets’ underdog status. Read more to discover how they have overcome challenges, including a Game 3 comeback, and what this means for their quest for the primary_keyword: championship and secondary_keyword: NBA title. News directory 3 has the full story. Discover what’s next …
Pacers Defy Odds, Championship Dreams Within Reach
updated June 12, 2025
The Indiana Pacers’ improbable run toward an NBA championship continues, fueled by a Game 3 victory over the Thunder that gave them a 2-1 lead in the Finals. What makes this potential championship so remarkable is the Pacers’ status as a 66-1 preseason long shot, according to Bet MGM.If they manage to close out the series, they would become the most unlikely NBA champion in league history.
To put their journey into outlook, consider that the 2014-15 Warriors, at 28-1, were the only recent champion with remotely similar preseason odds. The Pacers’ path to the Finals has been nothing short of unusual, making every game a testament to their resilience and determination for the NBA championship.
The Pacers’ NBA championship odds actually lengthened as the season progressed, a rarity among long-shot contenders. Historically, teams with initially poor odds see betterment as the season unfolds. To find a comparable underdog story, one must look outside the NBA to the 2003 Florida Marlins, who defied 75-1 odds to win the World Series.
Even more striking is the Pacers’ 80-1 odds at the start of the postseason. The 2011 Mavericks and 1995 Rockets, both at 18-1, represent the longest-shot NBA champions in recorded history. Outside of basketball, the 2007 San Francisco Giants, at 50-1, come closest, but still pale in comparison to Indiana’s improbable journey.
Indiana trailed 89-84 entering the fourth quarter of Wednesday’s game. That makes them the first team in NBA history to win two of the first three Finals games after trailing by at least five points after three quarters.
What’s next
as the series progresses, the Pacers aim to maintain their momentum and continue defying expectations as they pursue an NBA championship.