Indiana’s Thomas Bryant got in one game of Denver’s 2023 finals win over Miami, and the Pacers’ Aaron Nesmith played for Boston in the Celtics’ loss to Golden State in the 2022 finals.

The Oklahoma City Thunder bring arguably their best team in franchise history into the NBA Finals, led by MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and a strong group of players alongside him.

The Indiana Pacers are the largest betting underdogs heading into the NBA Finals in seven seasons. Almost no one is giving the Pacers a chance to win their first NBA championship. And that includes nearly all of the IndyStar and The Oklahoman sports staffs.