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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
San Antonio Spurs 11/5
Indiana Pacers
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