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Not all hope is lost for Indiana Pacers – just check the schedule

By Justin Byers

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 28: Fans hold a flag during the game between the Indiana Pacers and Golden State Warriors on January 28, 2019 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 28: Fans hold a flag during the game between the Indiana Pacers and Golden State Warriors on January 28, 2019 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Indiana Pacers have experienced a change of pace due to the loss of their star Victor Oladipo. The team has reached the second half of the season and the remainder of the schedule presents several challenges as well as opportunities to seize.

Despite the recent tragedy, there’s light at the end of the tunnel for the Indiana Pacers. Just a week ago, Victor Oladipo suffered a devastating knee injury against the Toronto Raptors. The injury has altered the outlook of the rest of the season for the Pacers.

Since being traded from Oklahoma City, Oladipo has been the head honcho on both sides of the floor for the Pacers. Oladipo not only provided production but leadership. But with his absence, things have changed. As the Pacers look to regroup after the loss of their star, it is important to look at the remainder of the schedule and what that means for the success of the team moving forward.

Luckily for the Pacers, the schedule ahead is in favor of a team built on depth. The Pacers rank 26th in strength of schedule (SOS) for the rest of the season. That bodes well in a league of thirty teams. Out of the twenty-one opponents the Pacers have left on their schedule, twelve of those teams have a record below .500. In addition, nine of those twelve teams reside in the Eastern Conference. This is an opportunity Coach McMillan and his team will look to seize.

As the Pacers currently sit third in standings of the Eastern Conference, the team has the ability to build on what they have already earned. Even though the SOS for the remainder of the season isn’t ranked high, it is still the NBA. That means that every game is a test and no opponent will look to take a night off.

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The Pacers will have to earn tough wins away from Banker’s Life Fieldhouse. The Pacers have several road trips ahead that include three games or more. The first of those begins today with a four-game stretch against Washington, Orlando, Miami, and New Orleans; four away games the Pacers need to take advantage of without Oladipo as they look to garner confidence in the second half of the season.

Not only do the Pacers have several challenges ahead on the road, but also with games on no rest. The rest of the schedule for the Pacers includes six back-to-backs. In the twelve games with no rest, five of the opponents are conference foes.

Also, something to note about the back-to-backs; each includes a significant amount of travel from one game to the next. This is a sure test for any team, especially one that is missing a major piece of the puzzle. However, a team that proves the whole is greater than the sum of its parts can prevail in a climate of uncertainty.

The “next man up” mentality will be deployed for the Pacers as the rest of the season looms. Guards Darren Collison, Tyreke Evans, Aaron Holiday and Cory Joseph will provide depth down the stretch in an NBA schedule that is arduous and includes many peaks and valleys. The Pacers will be battled tested, but have proven on multiple occasions that the team can be successful without players in the lineup.

In the midst of the madness, the Pacers are still considered a playoff team. The team is still in contention to win the Central Division despite being four games behind the conference-leading Milwaukee Bucks. There are eight teams that the Pacers play twice or more the rest of the season, five of those are conference foes, therefore building on the foundation already set should be the standard.

Next. Breaking down Edmond Sumner’s first NBA start. dark

Without Oladipo, opponents will look to exploit the Indiana Pacers. However, a strong coaching staff coupled with a team sprinkled with veterans has the potential to continue the success they have found through the first fifty games of the season. The remainder of the season should provide hope for Pacers fans despite the dramatic change.

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