The Pacers beat the two best teams in the Eastern Conference in the Bucks and Celtics. I bet against them in both games, but now I’m jumping on board. They are playing with a ton of confidence, and a little cushion with the points could be the difference. Give me Haliburton and the boys!

Really think LeBron wants to write one more chapter to his legacy here, and that he and Anthony Davis were able to play very low minute totals Thursday in the rout of the Pelicans obviously only helps LA. The Lakers have the size advantage, and the defenses aren't close. They just can't get into a track meet. That Indiana is down Jalen Smith and Andrew Nembhard thins Rick Carlisle's rotation.

If the Pacers have their way in this IST finale at Vegas, it will become a racehorse game vs. the Lake Show. Even so, clearing 243.5 is going to take a lot of go-go that the Lakers will not necessarily embrace, as focus for them usually reflected on the defensive end. And, if nothing else, LA has been definitely focused on the IST, with LeBron and AD both playing thru nagging hurts to push LA to the finale. Indiana certainly has a chance, though perhaps not as fast-paced as the path it has taken to reach the finale. Play Pacers-Lakers "Under" (at T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas)