8p9s Roundtable: Will the Pacers Make the Playoffs?

True or False: The Indiana Pacers will make the playoffs?

Justin Ochoa: True. I still have faith the Pacers will grab the 8-seed. Six of the 8 remaining Celtics games are against playoff teams, and seven of the Nets nine remaining games are against playoff teams. Only five of the nine remaining Pacers games are against playoff teams. I have to believe Indiana will make it work! The Pacers are only one game out of the playoffs, and other than Oklahoma City, Memphis and Washington, I think the rest of the Pacers remaining opponents are very beatable.

Tim Donahue: The schedule is certainly in their favor. There are three games separating the 7th seed from the 11th seed, and Indiana has the easiest remaining schedule of the five teams in this group, but strength of schedule is an iffy thing at this time of year. It really depends on what teams are playing for, and who is resting players. On the whole, the next four games — all against the other teams in this scrum for the last two playoff spots — will decide things. I think the Pacers split these games — but lose to the wrong teams. So I’m going with False.

Will Furr: True — but barely. The Nets just aren’t very good, and I think the Pacers pride will carry them into a first round matchup with the Hawks. I’ve said all year they would make the playoffs, too late to change course now

Ben Gibson: True. But this isn’t so much a vote of confidence in the Pacers as it is lack of faith in the rest of the conference. Boston has two games left apiece with Cleveland, Milwaukee, and Toronto. Unless they face the benches of those teams, that’s not easy. The Nets have the Raptors, Trail Blazers, Bulls, and Wizards left to play. Indiana’s remaining schedule isn’t easy either, but both Brooklyn and Boston have the toughest schedules left in the East.

Jon Washburn: False. I’m an optimist by nature, but I just don’t see it. George Hill has been fantastic, and if he were getting even moderate help from David West and Rodney Stuckey, I think the Pacers could slide in. But West hasn’t been “Mr. West” for several weeks now, and Stuckey’s latest ill-timed injury has almost destroyed what was a very good bench. To make up for those guys, I believe that the trio of C.J. Miles, Luis Scola, and Damjan Rudez would all have to play good to great ball (for them) in more than half of Indy’s remaining games. If they do this, they should get in — but I’m not sure that’s likely.

Next: Beating Brooklyn