8 points, 9 seconds
Fansided

3 potential outcomes of suspended season and how they impact the Pacers

By Josh Wilson

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 01: Indiana Pacers mascot Boomer takes the floor with several young fans during a timeout in the second half of a game against the New York Knicks at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on February 1, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Knicks defeated the Pacers 92-85. 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 Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 01: Indiana Pacers mascot Boomer takes the floor with several young fans during a timeout in the second half of a game against the New York Knicks at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on February 1, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Knicks defeated the Pacers 92-85. 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 Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Indiana Pacers (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images) /

League jumps right to the playoffs

This outcome seems like the most likely if the league is to return while holding some semblance of normalcy. More drastic adjustments (like a play-in tournament for the final playoff spots) could be possible, but this option would be more straightforward and easy to coordinate.

It would be jarring for many teams, but it would provide the league with revenue opportunities and prevent from the season being lost altogether.

How would this impact the Pacers?

The current seeding in the East would fall like this:

  1. Bucks
  2. Raptors
  3. Celtics
  4. Heat
  5. Pacers
  6. 76ers
  7. Nets
  8. Magic

This pits the Pacers against the Heat without home-court advantage. Not the most favorable matchup in the bracket, but when you consider that this would recall a rivalry from the early 2010s, it’s quite exciting.

The Heat are a solid team and were reeling at the start of the season. Jimmy Butler early on looked like a sleeper candidate for Most Valuable Player, but he and the team have both taken a bit of a step back since then. Still, their system is one of the most refined, they are well-coached, and they have the ability to absolutely blow games open with blistering shooting from beyond the arc with Duncan Robinson and Tyler Herro leading the way.

When you consider that their backup point guard Goran Dragic could start on several teams, it definitely makes you shake in your boots a bit, eh?

Related Story. We want the Warren/Butler drama. light

Unfortunately, the matchup hasn’t gone well for Indiana so far this year. They have lost both games against Miami (113-112, 122-108). Miami closes games well, going 8-1 in their games that went to overtime this year.

In this situation, outside of the unfavorable matchup, Victor Oladipo needs to get acclimated when games matter the most and Nate McMillan has to adjust rotations on the fly. A good coach and a solid team, these may not prove to be huge issues, but they are difference makers that matter in a playoff series against a sure thing like the Heat.

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