The Indiana Pacers were fifth in the Eastern Conference with a record of 39-26 when the 2019-20 NBA season was suspended. Below, we look at the BetMGM betting odds of the Pacers winning the NBA Championship once play resumes with a 22-team format in Orlando, Fla., later this summer.
Indiana Pacers season recap
The Pacers were playing well when play was suspended, winning seven of their last 10 games and rising to fifth in the East. That was helped by the return of SG Victor Oladipo, who came back right at the end of January and was ramping up his playing time before play was halted.
SF T.J. Warren and PF Domantas Sabonis were leading the team in scoring at 18.7 and 18.5 points per game, respectively, with Sabonis averaging 12.4 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game, too. PG Malcolm Brogdon has also had a really good season, while Oladipo averaged 13.8 points per game through just 13 games.
For bettors, the Pacers were 33-28-4 against the spread, including a 19-13-1 ATS record on the road.
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Indiana Pacers NBA Championship odds
Odds provided by BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday, June 10 at 7:30 a.m. ET.
The Pacers are a long shot to win the NBA title this year, with their odds sitting at +12500. That’s 14th in the league and seventh in the East, which is a sign of little faith from the oddsmakers.
While the East doesn’t have the top-end teams of the West, the Celtics and Bucks appear to be on a crash course for the Eastern Conference Finals. It’ll be hard for the Pacers to beat out any team to make the NBA Finals, let alone beat a team like the Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets or L.A Clippers.
Indiana has good depth down its roster, but unless Oladipo erupts in the playoffs or Warren steps up even more, the Pacers are going to be left behind. PASS on this bet for the Pacers.
Indiana Pacers Eastern Conference odds
The Pacers’ odds to win the East are obviously better than their chances to win the NBA title, but they’re still long shots to win the conference. They’re seventh in the East at +4000, ahead of only the Orlando Magic and Washington Wizards.
Unless the Pacers finish with one of the top seeds in the East and draw the Nets, Wizards or Magic, they’re going to have a tough matchup to start the playoffs. The Philadelphia 76ers aren’t an easy out, nor are any of the four teams ahead of the Pacers in the East.
I’d also PASS on this bet.
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