8 points, 9 seconds
Fansided

8p9s Roundtable: The Pacers are better than expected, but is trouble ahead?

By William Furr

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 06: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers points to the court in celebration during the game against the Chicago Bulls at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on December 6, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 06: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers points to the court in celebration during the game against the Chicago Bulls at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on December 6, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 7
Next
Domantas Sabonis of the Indiana Pacers
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 18: Domantas Sabonis #11 and Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers celebrate during the game against the Boston Celtics at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on December 18, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Will the Pacers make the playoffs this year? What seed?

Eggers: Unfortunately, I think they eek in as the 8th seed. As much as I love this team and want them to success, I have my doubts and think they will end up at or slightly below .500.

Unless both the Pistons and the 76ers can keep up pace for the rest of the year (and I don’t think both will), that puts the Pacers at 8th. Their resilience will surely be admirable, but I doubt they’re going far at that spot.

Furr: I think so. They’re somehow going to wind up matched against the Cavs in Round 1and look like they could’ve beaten every other East time while losing in 6.

More from Pacers News

In all actuality, seeds 8 through 6 are certainly attainable; I’ll split the difference and say the Pacers wind up with the 7 for the 2nd straight year.

Renz: Barring future injury trouble, I think the Pacers will slot into the playoffs, probably somewhere in the six-to-eight range. However, if the Heat cool off — a very real possibility — and the Wizards continue their confusing play, the Pacers could be in the mix for those four or five spots, too.

What I’m trying to say is, yes, the Pacers will make the playoffs.

East: Yep, probably 7th or 8th seed. I think seeds 7-9 are between the Pistons, 76ers, and Pacers. Given Joel Embiid’s injury history and the general youth of the team, there is reason to believe they could flounder down the stretch. The Pistons are floundering now. The Pacers could finish above these teams, but Turner’s injury hurts. It will be a close race but ultimately I think they sneak in.

Gibson: They will make the playoffs and due to the instability outside of the top three — Celtics, Raptors, Cavaliers — I don’t think the 5th seed is out of reach. Unless one of the teams can separate from the back, I think we’ll see Indiana bounce between the 4th and the 8th seed, but I think they’ll settled in around the middle.

Home/Pacers News