The Indiana Pacers Unlikely Journey to NBA Championship: A Statistical Analysis

In a recent episode of The Big Number, Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine delved into the potential for the Indiana Pacers to win this year's NBA title, despite the odds seemingly being against them. The analysis uncovered key statistics that show how the Pacers could potentially walk away with the Larry O'Brien Trophy, even though it may seem improbable.

The starting point for the Pacers' success would be an ultra-aggressive performance from Tyrese Haliburton. However, this will be easier said than done, as he will have to face his kryptonite in Lu Dort. The episode highlights Haliburton's scoring prowess against the Oklahoma City Thunder and how he can use his skills to outmaneuver his opponent.

Other key statistics that were delved into include:

• Pascal Siakam's points produced in the postseason, highlighting his importance to the Pacers' success.
• The Thunder's corner 3-point shooting, which could be a weakness that the Pacers can exploit.
• What happened the last time the Thunder lost a series, providing insight into their potential weaknesses.
• The Thunder's struggles against zone defenses, which could be a weakness that the Pacers can exploit.
• The recent coaching changes in the NBA, including the firing of Tom Thibodeau by the Knicks and the hiring of Igor Ott as head coach of the Suns.

The episode concludes with a photo of Tyrese Haliburton speaking with teammates Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner during an NBA basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on December 26, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The photo is accompanied by a caption from Jeff Dean/Getty Images.

To watch the full episode and learn more about the Yahoo Sports podcast family, visit https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or check out Yahoo Sports Podcasts.