Almost no one is giving the Pacers a chance to win their first NBA title. And that includes nearly all of IndyStar and The Oklahoman sports staffs.

THE OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER AND THE INDIANA PACERS The NBA Finals are here, and they're going to be an absolute dandy. Tonight, the Thunder host the Pacers in Game 1 of what should be an enthralling matchup.

Indiana has a 3-1 lead over New York and closed each of its previous two series this postseason in five games. The Pacers have won four straight games in playoff-series-clinching scenarios, the longest streak in franchise history, On the contrary, the Knicks are 1-3 under head coach Tom Thibodeau when facing elimination.