For the second straight year, it is a surprise that the Indiana Pacers are in the Eastern Conference Finals. A year ago they upset the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round, and the New York Knicks in the second round before being swept by the Boston Celtics. Then this year, the Pacers beat the Bucks as the mild opening round favourite before absolutely stunning the Cleveland Cavaliers in five games.
The odds of the Cavaliers winning the series were -500. The chances of the Pacers winning were +375, and the chances of Indiana winning in five were +2500.
What we saw in this series over the last nine days from Indianapolis was strong production from all five starters. In game five, all Pacers players who began the game reached double digits in points in a 114-105 win. Guard Tyrese Haliburton of Oshkosh, Wisconsin led the way with 31 points. He was followed by power forward Pascal Siakam of Douala, Cameroon (21 points), Canadian guard Andrew Nembhard of Aurora, Ontario (18 points), small forward Aaron Nesmith of Charleston, South Carolina (13 points), and center Myles Turner of Bedford, Texas (10 points). Nesmith had the double double as he had 13 rebounds.
While a year ago, the Pacers were beneficiaries to injuries of their opponents (Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee, and six key players on the 2024 Knicks with various ailments). Indiana are in the final four this year because they simply beat down their opposition. The Cavaliers were best in the East in the regular season, but come playoff time, their second round defense was poor as they gave up 120+ points in three of the five contests, and are eliminated as a result.
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