NBA Playoffs: Pacers play odds underdogs against Heat before Eastern Conference Finals

Though the road was rocky, the Indiana Pacers have found themselves back in the Eastern Conference Finals for a second straight year, and just like last year, their opponent are the Miami Heat. Much like last year, the Pacers will play heavy underdogs to the defending champions according to Bovada.lv. In fact, the Pacers in the longest odds of the remaining four teams, as 10/1 favorites to win the NBA Championship. But it's better to face the longest odds than no odds at all.

Indiana has fluctuated throughout this postseason after entering at 6/1 favorites. They slid to 12/1 favorites against the Wizards, and despite being slightly up heading into the Conference Finals, the continued doubt in the Pacers makes it no real surprise they're expected to perform the least among the four remaining teams. It certainly doesn't help Indiana's odds that they're heading up with the heavy favorite Heat, who are scratch favorites at 1/1 in winning the NBA Championship, but in facing an NBA Finals rematch with the San Antonio Spurs.

Having faith in the Pacers might serve up a princely reward with the Pacers at +300 in the money line and 3/1 to come out ahead against the Heat, who are at -375 (4/15). The most favorable outcome is expected to be a 4-2 Miami victory, with the Heat holding the best odds at 13/5. Indiana's best odds to succeed sits at 13/2 for a Game 7 victory. The shorter the series, the more heavily it favors the Heat: Miami has 4/1 odds for the sweep, while Indiana sits at a much longer 30/1, fair given Indiana's random poor performances this postseason.

Individual over/under lines given for the series expects a big series from LeBron James, with the O/U of his scoring average at 27½ to along with 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Dwyane Wade's scoring average is set at 18 points per game, which may need to be lower if Indiana plans to have any chances of winning the series. Indiana is expected to be led by Paul George, who's O/U scoring average is set at 22½ to go along with 7½ rebounds.

Out West, the news of Serge Ibaka missing the rest of the postseason will effectively reset the lines, so be sure to keep an eye on Bovada for more information. Below are more lines for the Pacers vs. Heat Eastern Conference Finals:

Odds to win 2014 NBA Championship

Miami Heat                           1/1

San Antonio Spurs                    11/5

Oklahoma City Thunder 7/2

Indiana Pacers                         10/1

2014 NBA Championship - Exact Matchup

Miami Heat vs San Antonio Spurs                      1/1

Miami Heat vs Oklahoma City Thunder                2/1

Indiana Pacers vs San Antonio Spurs                 11/2

Indiana Pacers vs Oklahoma City Thunder          15/2

Series Prices

Miami Heat (Series Prices)                     -375     (4/15)

Indiana Pacers (Series Prices)                +300     (3/1)

Oklahoma City Thunder (Series Prices)   +140     (7/5)

San Antonio Spurs (Series Prices)          -160     (5/8)

Miami Heat vs Indiana Pacers

Series Price

Miami Heat (Series Prices)         -375     (4/15)

Indiana Pacers (Series Prices)    +300     (3/1)

Exact Series Result     

Miami Heat win 4-0                    4/1       

Miami Heat win 4-1                    3/1       

Miami Heat win 4-2                    13/5     

Miami Heat win 4-3                    11/2     

Indiana Pacers win 4-0               30/1

Indiana Pacers win 4-1               12/1

Indiana Pacers win 4-2               12/1

Indiana Pacers win 4-3               13/2     

Total Games in Series 

4                      +375    

5                      +230    

6                      +180    

7                      +250    

Average Third Round Points Per Game - LeBron James

Over/Under                   27½

Average Third Round Rebounds Per Game - LeBron James    

Over/Under                   7

Average Third Round Assists Per Game - LeBron James        

Over/Under                   6

Average Third Round Points Per Game - Dwyane Wade          

Over/Under                   18

Average Third Round Points Per Game - Chris Bosh

Over/Under                   15

Average Third Round Rebounds Per Game - Chris Bosh         

Over/Under                   6

Average Third Round Points Per Game - Mario Chalmers

Over/Under                   9

Average Third Round Points Per Game - Paul George 

Over/Under                   22½

Average Third Round Rebounds Per Game - Paul George       

Over/Under                   7½

Average Third Round Points Per Game - David West

Over/Under                   14½

Average Third Round Rebounds Per Game - David West

Over / Under     7

Average Third Round Points Per Game - Lance Stephenson

Over/Under                   13½

Average Third Round Rebounds Per Game - Lance Stephenson         

Over/Under                   7

Average Third Round Points Per Game - George Hill

Over/Under                   11