Pacers embracing underdog role heading into NBA Finals

The Indiana Pacers are massive underdogs in the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, and they want it that way. 

"I don't think we expect anyone to pick us," Pacers forward Pascal Siakam, Eastern Conference Finals MVP, told the media on Wednesday. "It's been that way the whole playoffs. The whole season. Nothing for us changes. We just continue to be ourselves, focus on us. It's always been us against everyone." 

As of Wednesday, FanDuel Sportsbook lists the Thunder's odds of winning the championship at -700. According to SportsOddsHistory.com, they're the largest favorites to win the championship since the 2017-18 Golden State Warriors (-1075), who swept the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

The Thunder do look like a juggernaut. After winning a league-leading 68 games during the regular season, they're 12-4 through their first 16 playoff games.

Oklahoma City's roster features guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, league MVP. He's third in the playoffs in points per game (29.8) and sixth in assists per game (6.9)

"[The Thunder] are historically great on both sides of the ball," Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton said. "They have the MVP. There's so many different things you could name down the list of why they are so great at what they do, why they're such a great team." 

Still, why wouldn't the Pacers want a chance to upset what they consider the best team in the league? 

"You want to go through the best team, the best challenge. This is the best challenge," Haliburton said. "This is the best team in the NBA. It's been the best team in the NBA all year. They're well-coached. They do everything so well. There's no shortcuts to beating this team. We know the odds are stacked against us. It is what it is. We want to be here. We want to play against the best. This is the best. We look forward to the challenge as a group." 

The No. 4 seed Pacers stunned the No. 1 seed Cleveland Cavaliers in five games in the second round and the No. 3 seed New York Knicks in six games in the Eastern Conference Finals. 

That could explain why Haliburton and Co. don't seem to fear the Thunder. The Pacers know they thrive as an underdog.