OKLAHOMA CITY — On the court, Cason Wallace doesn’t do anything slow. Seated at a podium at the Thunder’s Wednesday media day session ahead of Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals, though, the second-year guard eased off the gas and took a second to think.

Rick Carlisle scoffs at small market talk, says NBA Finals must celebrate Oklahoma City Thunder, Indiana Pacers.

The Indiana Pacers are the largest betting underdogs heading into the NBA Finals in seven seasons. Almost no one is giving the Pacers a chance to win their first NBA championship. And that includes nearly all of the IndyStar and The Oklahoman sports staffs.