National experts explain why the Thunder are heavy favorites, and what they expect to see in the NBA Finals.

The Indiana Pacers are in the NBA Finals for the first time since 2000; the Thunder, since 2012.

There are at least a couple of ways of looking at it. The most prevalent is, the Indiana Pacers have no chance to win the NBA Finals . The other, they have an endless supply of bulletin board material to carry them past the Oklahoma City Thunder .

No one is doubting the Pacers ' worth. They were one of the league's best teams in this calendar year and beat the Nos. 1 and 3 seeds in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

It's just that the Thunder have been so good all season. They won 68 regular-season games, led the league in many important statistical areas , and have maint

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