In a season when no one believed the Pacers would make the playoffs, they just happen to be playing today- at the 5th seed no less. They take on the Cleveland Cavaliers for the second time in a row. The 8p9s roundtable breaks the matchup down.
How do you feel about the team’s form heading into the playoffs?
Will Furr: I’d feel much better if Victor Oladipo’s shot was falling, and if Myles Turner hadn’t returned to stasis after busting out after the All-Star break. The team’s defense (never thought I’d be saying that with this group) and, uh, camaraderie are on point. The offense lives and dies with Oladipo a bit too much for me. HOWEVER: I feel far better than I ever could’ve imagined prior to the season. The Pacers are playing like a playoff team.
Jonathan Matthes: In a word: thrilled. I firmly believe that it’s a great thing any time you’re in the playoffs. That’s more true this year. I’ve been high on this team since the summer, like, I thought the playoffs were possible. Not only are they possible, they’re real, concrete, and a 5 seed no less. And no matter how far Indy goes in these playoffs, they’re trending super-duper up and the experience will be invaluable. I’m thrilled for the team, this city, the state they represent and we, the fans. After the two years of meh and underachievement, it’s fantastic to finally have a team that represents Indiana so well.
Dylan Hughes: The team lately has really looked and felt like it is peaking at the right time. The chemistry we’ve been talking about all year is only growing stronger as time goes on. Myles Turner is still up-and-down, and him being on will be key in knocking off Cleveland. Glenn Robinson III has made shots lately which is promising.
Tony East: I feel lukewarm about the teams form heading into the playoffs. They closed the season fairly well, but not like “blow you out of the water” well. That being said, they are playing better than they have been for most of the season and they also are fully healthy, something we have rarely seen from this team all season. I think above average form and peak health sets them up well for success.
Ben Gibson: Outside of Myles Turner, everyone was at least in decent to good form heading into the playoffs. With LeBron James and Kevin Love able to out class them, they’ll need to be in more than average form heading into Game 1. Myles Turner needs to get things together quickly or he is heading into another long offseason with more questions than answers.