Pacers enter stretch run with many scenarios in play
By TYLER SMITH (@TylerSmith_ISL)
ISL Editor
INDIANAPOLIS — Sixty games down. Twenty-two to go. After following the busy All-Star weekend with a 3-1 home-stand, the Indiana Pacers (34-26) are gearing up for the stretch run with a wide range of outcomes to still be determined. This season has been filled with several high highs, and some low lows. And overall, the Pacers have set themselves up in a decent position to make some noise when it matters the most.
“This time of year, each game has such great meaning,” said Pacers Coach Rick Carlisle. “Now we go on a road trip where it’s the same thing. Each game is huge.”
Here’s what we know: The Pacers are going to the playoffs this year. They’ve got an 11-game lead on the final play-in spot. They would obviously love to avoid the play-in tournament altogether and secure a top-6 seed. What they would love even more, is jumping to the 4-seed and hosting the first round of the playoffs. Every one of those scenarios appear to be just as realistic as the rest. On the final day of February, the Pacers sit at just a game and a half out of the 4-seed, while maintaining just a half game advantage over Orlando for 8th. In the bunched up Eastern Conference, the margin for error is slim, and the opportunity is wide.
In their final 22 games, the Pacers have 13 on the road, and just nine games remaining at home. Their “strength of schedule” is around the middle of the pack according to Tanktathon.com. If there’s one thing we’ve learned from this team, it’s that the opponents haven’t mattered much anyway. All season long, Indy has held their own against the top teams, while suffering countless losses to weaker teams, especially on the second night of a back-to-back. Those losses have really limited the overall feel for the season, and they’ll be tough to overcome. As time passes, however, you can see the combination of Haliburton and Siakam thriving together and becoming the team nobody wants to see in the playoffs.
“We’re just hitting our stride at the right time,” said Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton. “It just takes a little bit of time. The time in practice is important, and we’ve been able to have more of that with the break. Just trying to build on this and make a playoff run.”
Recently, I’ve been asking fans what a “successful season” would look like for this year’s Pacers team. Some fans believe it’s already been a success because of the in-season tournament, acquiring Siakam, lots of big moments and wins, and getting back into the playoff picture. Other fans have said this team needs to make the full playoffs and give their first round opponent a good series. And other fans still believe this team should play deep into the post-season for it to be a success. I think there’s some truth in all of these definitions. And I could see any of these scenarios playing out over the next few months. For now, I’ll stick with my original preseason prediction: The Pacers will finish as the 6-seed and play a deep first round series.
Speaking of the playoffs: The standings won’t be the only thing to monitor down the stretch. The potential match-ups will be just as intriguing. Imagine if the Pacers have a first round date with Milwaukee (game balls on the line), or Philly (with Buddy Hield), or New York (with OG and Josh Hart). I’m here for the high-level drama and the fun story-lines in a long series. It’s been too long. I know the fans are ready. I know the players are ready. Can they get the job done down the stretch to make it happen? We’ll find out soon enough.
