It is understandable if it is difficult to get up for the NBA Finals after watching the Knicks lose to an old rival with a new villain (Tyrese Haliburton) in a series they entered as the favorites. It will be a challenge for many casual fans, who see Oklahoma City and Indiana — and reach for the remote.

The Pacers are entering the NBA Finals with a record of 12-4 throughout the postseason. Indiana used a strong second-half push to clinch the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference standings, and they have been one of the better teams in the NBA over the past few months.