Five reasons Pacers will win the NBA title

The Indiana Pacers are one game away from a franchise-first NBA championship. They will face the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday for Game 7 of the NBA Finals. Whoever comes away with the win will etch their names into the history books.

The Pacers have embodied the underdog mentality throughout the playoffs. And now, here are five reasons why they can complete their unlikely run to the mountaintop. 

5. Defense-shattering playmaking

No team moves the ball better than the Pacers. They share the rock indiscriminately, trusting that the ball will fall into the right hands at the right moment. That style of play has made them incredibly unpredictable, as anyone can be a scoring threat from anywhere on the floor.

Like every team before it, Oklahoma City has struggled to contain the Pacers' ball movement. At times, it has looked shell-shocked by how easily it has been carved open. If the Pacers can continue sharing the wealth, they will be a formidable opponent to contain. 

4. The math game 

Indiana is averaging eight more three-point shots per game than the Thunder. Both teams are shooting a similar average of around 36 percent. As such, the math tells you that Indiana can create an advantage on the perimeter.

If the Pacers get hot from deep, the Thunder's two-point focus could cause them to fall behind, forcing them to play off the back foot in the biggest game of the franchise's history. 

3. Tempo control

Under Rick Carlisle, the Pacers have become masters of controlling the tempo and pace of a game. The offense flows as Indiana wants it to flow. It pushes the pace, then slows things down, then mixes it back up to keep you guessing.

Oklahoma City must lean into its defensive identity if it's going to stifle the Pacers' run-and-gun offense. Otherwise, it could be out of steam by the start of the fourth quarter. It's fair to assume Indiana is the most well-conditioned roster in the entire NBA.

2. Incredible depth

The Pacers aren't built on star talent. Instead, there is incredible parity in depth throughout the roster. As one player checks out, his replacement is just as capable and boasts a silky yet diverse skill set. 

Obi Toppin has been the prime example throughout the NBA Finals, filling his minutes admirably and dominating his matchups whenever called upon. 

1. Tyrese Haliburton

The Pacers go where Haliburton takes them. Calf injury or not, he was highly impactful in Game 6 and will be motivated to leave it all on the court on Sunday. If Haliburton can dominate his matchups, create for others and finish his scoring opportunities, the Pacers could be en route to creating one more upset. 

Of course, with his injury and the importance he has to the Pacers rotation, he must find a way to handle the pressure. Otherwise, things could unravel pretty fast.