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4 Reasons Why the Indiana Pacers Can Surpass the Bucks for the 6th Seed

By Jared Wade

Jan 2, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Jared Dudley (9) reacts after being called for a technical foul during the third quarter against the Indiana Pacers at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks guard Jared Dudley (9) reacts after being called for a technical foul during the third quarter against the Indiana Pacers at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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4. Indiana Faces Fewer Top-Tier Opponents

The Milwaukee Bucks have more games left that look “unwinnable.” This is in part because they are struggling so much of late, but it’s also just because they have some behemoths left to play.

Six of the Bucks’ remaining games are against the Warriors, Hawks, Grizzlies, Cavs, and Spurs. We can probably slot them in for an 0-6 in those contests.

If the Pacers have a best-case outcome against Milwaukee — beating them twice — then that’s already 8 losses for the Bucks.

The certainly have plenty of cupcakes left, too, so 10-8 is probably in play. But I presume they will slip up more against the dregs than the Pacers will. .

indiana pacers
indiana pacers /

Meanwhile, I presume Indiana is more likely to upset some of the big dogs left on their plate.

But wait a minute here. The Pacers play some teams with excellent records, too: the Grizzlies, Rockets, Mavs, Cavs, and Thunder.

This is true, but the Mavericks are just 5-5 in their last 10. And the Pacers play Memphis on the final day of the season, so it’s quite possible that guys like Marc Gasol and Mike Conley might get the night off.

Ultimately, it is a long shot for Indiana to get the 6th seed. But if Milwaukee doesn’t take care of business against some of the bad teams they have to face and the Pacers can win both head-to-head matchups, it will be close.

A few weeks ago, asking the Indiana Pacers to close the season 13-7 — or better — would seems just as ridiculous as predicting the Milwaukee Bucks to finish 8-11 — or worse.

Now both are in play. And if both those conceivable records happen, both the Pacers and Bucks will finish the season at 41-41. And if Indiana wins these last two game against Milwaukee, the Pacers will take the 6th seed with tiebreaker — and have a chance at making the second round.

Next: The George Hill Effect

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