True or False: The Indiana Pacers have some chance to beat the Raptors, Bulls, or Wizards in a playoff series?
Donahue: True. The Pacers haven’t seen the Raptors or the Wizards during their resurgence, so it’s almost a clean slate with these two teams. Both are struggling, and we’ll get a gauge of Toronto on Monday. The Bulls will be tough, but the Pacers have won two of three (including one in Chicago with the Bulls at full strength). The Pacers would really like to get to the 6th seed, where they would have a puncher’s chance against any of those teams.
Gibson: True. Between injuries and lackluster play as of late, the Pacers can take any of those teams down. None of those series will be easy in any way, but it is certainly possible if the Pacers play at a level like they are playing now.
Washburn: Absolutely true. This might sound crazy, but I think the Pacers would be favored against the Wizards and, depending upon injuries, could be favored over Chicago as well. The Raptors’ bigs have always given Hibbert problems, but their lack of experience and occasional inconsistency is less than terrifying.
Bishop: Better chances with these three teams than the Hawks and Cavs. The Raptors and Wizards have fell off from their hot starts to the season, so Indiana could catch them at a bad break when April comes. The Bulls are beatable due to injuries and the Pacers playing them well. The Raptors and Wiz will undoubtedly have the best players in the series if Indiana matches up with either.
Medworth: True. I absolutely think the Pacers can steal a series against one of these teams. If they meet up with one of these three in the playoffs, it likely means the Pacers grabbed the 6th seed. If the Pacers grabbed the 6th seed, it means Rodney is still in Godney mode and the Pacers have just won a whole lot of games to end the season. In the words of Rolando Blackman, “Confidence, baby.”
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