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It Is Time For the Indiana Pacers To Win

By Mason Hankins

Dec 7, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Monta Ellis (left), center Myles Turner (center and forward Paul George in the huddle with teammates prior to the game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Pacers defeated the Suns 109-94. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Monta Ellis (left), center Myles Turner (center and forward Paul George in the huddle with teammates prior to the game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Pacers defeated the Suns 109-94. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Indiana Pacers have been extremely underwhelming as of late, but the next five-game stretch is an opportunity to change the path of this season for better, or worse.

At the beginning of the season, the Indiana Pacers were believed to be among the Eastern Conference’s top teams. With the acquisitions of Jeff Teague and Thaddeus Young, along with superstar Paul George and an emerging young sensation in Myles Turner, the sky was the limit for Indiana.

Unfortunately, that expectation has not been met in the slightest.

With that being said, Indiana is still very much in the playoff picture with a chance to make some noise. The Pacers cannot afford to look ahead in any part of their schedule because they need to win immediately.

They should concentrate on five-game stretches as the season moves forward. If they can go 3-2 or better in those stretches, they will have an opportunity to be a threat in the top-heavy Eastern Conference.

If Indiana looks at the season in five-game stretches, the next five games appear to be an opportunity to get the team moving in the right direction.

The Next 5 Games

The Minnesota Timberwolves, Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets, Orlando Magic, and Brooklyn Nets.

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These are the next five opponents that the Indiana Pacers will square up against, and all of these games are absolutely winnable.

But, it is never certain which Indiana Pacers team will show up on a nightly basis. Indiana has seen their Pacers perform like they were predicted to but also seen one of the most inconsistent teams in the league.

If the Indiana Pacers do what they are supposed to, they will win four out of the next five games. Among these five teams, the Houston Rockets are the only one with a winning record, and the Pacers get them at home in Bankers Life Fieldhouse. This means Indiana can absolutely find themselves on another five-game winning streak.

Playing to Competition

It is imperative that Indiana comes ready to play every game as their backs are against the wall. There is no time for lapses and Indiana needs leadership. Our captains, Paul George and Monta Ellis, and veterans like Al Jefferson need to stress that to Indiana’s less experienced players.

This has proved to be a difficult task for the Indiana Pacers. They have been known to play up and down to their competition this season, but that needs to stop immediately if Indiana desires to turn this thing around and win now.

Also, the Pacers thankfully do not have to travel to London at the end of this possible five-game winning streak. They get a home game against the Eastern Conference’s 10th best record in the Detroit Pistons.

It is now or never for the Indiana Pacers, and the upcoming five-game stretch is a tremendous opportunity to get the ball rolling. The preseason expectations were lofty for this group, but it is not too late to live up to them. Five wins in a row is achievable, and it should be interesting to see what Pacers team shows up.

Next: Myles Turner Picked for Rising Stars Challenge

Stay tuned for an exciting five-game stretch, and keep your eyes on the Sunday match-up against the formidable Houston Rockets at 6 PM in Bankers Life.

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