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Indiana Pacers are still underdogs as ESPN releases NBA Cup odds

By Elie Deglaoui

Dec 9, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) keeps the ball from Indiana Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith (23) during the third quarter during the NBA In-Season Tournament Championship game at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 9, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) keeps the ball from Indiana Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith (23) during the third quarter during the NBA In-Season Tournament Championship game at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports / Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports
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On Tuesday, the NBA released each team's schedule for the second annual NBA Cup. Last season, the Indiana Pacers advanced all the way to the final round of what was then called the In-Season Tournament. Ultimately, they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers.

However, despite losing in the Finals to the Lakers, the Pacers got the last laugh. The Lakers barely snuck into the playoffs as the No. 8 and lost to the Denver Nuggets in five games in the first round. Meanwhile, the Pacers exceeded all expectations and advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals before losing to the eventual champion Boston Celtics.

This is important to bring up for two reasons.

First, the results of the NBA Cup do not automatically translate to playoff success. Last season, the Dallas Mavericks, who represented the Western Conference in the NBA Finals, failed to advance to the Knockout Rounds after going 2-2. Additionally, the Pacers are used to exceeding expectations in spite of what analysts and other fanbases may believe about the team.

Shortly after the NBA Cup schedule was released, ESPN BET released their odds for who the winner of the tournament will be. Despite their success last season, the Pacers (+2000) are currently tied with the Mavericks for ninth-best odds to win the NBA Cup this year.

The Boston Celtics (+400) and Oklahoma City Thunder (+800) are the favorites to represent their respective conferences.

Furthermore, the Milwaukee Bucks (+1000) are the only team in Indiana's group for the NBA Cup to have better odds than the Pacers. Additionally, ESPN BET has given Milwaukee (+122) a better chance of winning East Group B than Indiana (+190).

NBA Cup odds are just the latest case of the Pacers being treated like underdogs

Since their Eastern Conference Finals appearance, many experts and analysts have continued to overlook the Pacers and doubt them. Last season, nobody expected them to advance to the finals round of the NBA Cup, but they did. Additionally, their run to the conference finals was wildly surprising to the NBA world as well.

Now, when talking about the top teams in the Eastern Conference, only the Celtics, Knicks, and Philadelphia 76ers truly get mentioned. Furthermore, the Pacers did not receive a game on opening night of the 2024-25 season or on Christmas Day.

Although they continue to get overlooked, Pacers fans should remain confident in the team that has defied all odds for the last year.

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