Pacers clinch a top-4 seed in the East
By TYLER SMITH (@TylerSmith_ISL)
ISL Editor
INDIANAPOLIS — For the first time since 2014, there will be a Game One at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The Pacers did earn home court advantage back in 2020, but played that series in “the Bubble” during Covid, and not in front of their home fans. This year, they’re back as the No. 4-seed in the Eastern Conference and will get to play in Indianapolis to open the Playoffs.
“Congratulations to the guys,” said Pacers Head Coach Rick Carlisle. “Congratulations to the fans who were a big part of it. But it’s not a destination. It’s simply a tool. We’ll talk more about it with the guys as things get closer, but you’ve got to have a different mindset when you start the Playoffs at home. We’re looking forward to it. Feeling that energy in Game One.. it’s special. But there’s no guarantee that it’s going to go well.”
Aaron Nesmith agrees: “It’s huge to get to play in front of our fans. I think we have one of the best, if not THE best home crowds. I’m excited. Still gotta get the job done though.”
The Pacers are 29-10 at the Fieldhouse this season, with one home game left to play in the regular season. And that record doesn’t tell the whole story. In their last 14 games at home, the Pacers are 13-1, which has included several big wins, and several “how did they pull that off” type of wins. We also saw how important playing in this building was for the Pacers a year ago. This team went 6-0 at home in those first two rounds of the Playoffs, and followed that up with two games down to the wire against the eventual champion Boston Celtics (without Tyrese Haliburton).
In addition to the home crowd bringing the energy to boost this team, the play of Tyrese Haliburton has also been a big factor in the 317 this year. The Pacers star point guard is averaging 20.3 points and 10 assists per game on 50% from the field and 41% from three at home, compared to 16.7 points, 8.6 assists on 44 and 35% shooting splits on the road. The Pacers average nearly 119 points per game at home, and typically find ways to win, whether the game looks ugly or not.
“It’s special for us knowing what we’ve been through to get here,” said Haliburton. “We’re a game away from a 50 win season. It’s a special year, especially how it started. We don’t take that lightly. And our fan base is special. When I first got here, we weren’t very good and they were still showing love. We love playing here.”
The stage is set for a likely rematch with the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round, though the Pistons are still in play if they defeat Milwaukee in both games this weekend. The home crowd will need to bring the juice once again, as the Bucks will have Giannis Antetokounmpo this time around. Game dates will be released by the middle of next week, with Game One likely taking place next Saturday or Sunday.
