The Indiana Pacers remain underdogs in the NBA Finals after building a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
ABC play-by-play announcer Mike Breen sees reason to question that.
“There’s something special going on with that team right now, that’s for sure,” he said Thursday on the “Dan Patrick Show.”
Despite their tremendous regular-season record and march through the Western Conference playoffs, the Thunder are younger and less experienced that Indiana. OKC has the league’s second-youngest roster and last season won one playoff series.
The Pacers are older and reached the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals, where they were swept by the eventual champion Boston Celtics.
Breen believes that experience is valuable.
“I know this sounds ridiculous, but that was a close sweep,” noting that three of the four games went down to the final minute. “They played well. They gained valuable experience.
“Continuity is the most underrated part of basketball, to have the same guys who know their strengths and weaknesses and have been through the wars together. It’s showing right now.”
Breen acknowledged that “the series is far from over” and that OKC’s smothering defense could return. However, he’s a little concerned about the Thunder after Game 3.
“That’s the first time I’ve seen the Thunder look that way,” he said. “They looked unsure of themselves, as well as being fatigued. I’ve never seen that from them.”
Game 4 is Friday night in Indianapolis.
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