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Indiana Pacers’ Best and Worst-Case 2020 NBA Playoffs Scenarios

By Shawn Chambers

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 27: T-shirts drap the seats of Bankers Life Fieldhouse before the start of the Cleveland Cavaliers game against the Indiana Pacers in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on April 27, 2018 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)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - APRIL 27: T-shirts drap the seats of Bankers Life Fieldhouse before the start of the Cleveland Cavaliers game against the Indiana Pacers in Game Six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on April 27, 2018 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) /
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Indiana Pacers (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images) /

Indiana Pacers playoff scenarios: Traditional format

• Top-eight teams in Eastern Conference and Western Conference advance to the postseason
• Each conference seeded in best-of-seven series (2-2-1-1-1)
• Team with best regular-season record earns home-court advantage in NBA Finals

With the NBA standings where they currently are, the Pacers would match up against the Miami Heat in the first round in the four-five matchup. Just four games separate the sixth-seed Philadelphia 76ers from the three-seed Boston Celtics meaning if there is any sort of resumption of the regular season, there would be a lot on the line for a lot of teams.

Before the start of the 2019-20 NBA season, the consensus was the Eastern Conference would be much more balanced than fans were becoming accustomed to. That prediction proved true despite just six teams owning a .500-or-better record. Milwaukee is a legitimate title contender, but the next five teams are separated by just seven games.

Best Case: Boston Celtics (43-21), Philadelphia 76ers (39-26)

The final Pacers game before the season was suspend saw Boston get a 114-111 win in Indianapolis.

That came after a Pacer win at Banker’s Life Fieldhouse back in December. The latest game between the two saw Oladipo return to form with his best game since his return to injury. He scored 27 points and added seven rebounds despite the loss. Domantas Sabonis and T.J. Warren also scored 20-plus points despite the loss.

Jeremy Lamb had already been lost for the season, Doug McDermott did not play, and Malcolm Brogdon did not play. That means the bottom half of the Pacers’ bench fell three points shy of defeating the Boston Celtics. Add back two key pieces of the Indiana rotation and the Pacers know they have a chance.

Indiana picked up two home wins over Philadelphia this season while dropping their road contest. The statistics say that the two teams are very similar.

The 76ers average 109.6 points and the Pacers average 109.3. The Pacers shoot 47.7 percent from the field while the 76ers shoot 46.5 percent. Both teams shoot 36.3-percent from deep and average 25.9 assists per game. Neither team goes to the line often.

Statistically, the teams are very similar. What’s the difference?

The hype.

Fans and media love Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons. They are on national television and open SportsCenter. The Pacers have proven they can compete with Philadelphia and may even be the better team. Indiana would be plenty motivated to face-off with the 76ers.

Worst Case: Miami Heat (41-24), Toronto Raptors (46-18)

There is just one reason the Pacers do not want to face-off with the Miami Heat. That reason is Jimmy Butler.

Indiana lost both matchups with Miami this season, one of which included an altercation between T.J. Warren and Butler that resulted in both being fined. If there’s anyone in the league players should not want to make angry, it’s Jimmy Butler.

https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1215083953557651456

An angry Butler combined with the experience of Andre Iguodala and Goran Dragic plus young stars like Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro make up a team the Pacers do not want to see. They shoot the ball incredibly well from anywhere on the court and are a strong defensive team.

Coming off a championship last season, Nick Nurse and his Toronto roster are out to prove they can win without Kawhi Leonard. Pascal Siakam has taken over the starring role for the Raptors and earned his first All-Star nod this season. Kyle Lowry is still performing at a high-level and five other players are averaging double-figure scoring.

Toronto has outperformed expectations this season but shows no signs of letting up. They have the best scoring defense in the NBA and can win a game with their defense alone. Indiana has plenty of potential on offense but also likes to win games on the defensive end. Unfortunately, the safe bet in a defensive battle is the reigning NBA Champions.

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