Indiana Pacers: Second half schedule filled with challenges

The NBA has released the second-half schedule and the Indiana Pacers will not be too thrilled by the outcome. With some brutal stretches coming up, Indiana will have to buckle up if they want to be a threat in the Eastern Conference.

Indiana opens the second half on the road in Philadelphia and Cleveland before returning home to host the Nuggets. The All-Star break comes right after and then things get very tough for the Pacers.

The Indiana Pacers have some tough stretches in the second half of the season.

Following the break, Indiana heads out west for three games in four days against some of the top squads in the conference. They will meet the Lakers, Suns, and Nuggets on the road before heading back east for another brutal stretch.

Back in the east, Indiana will host the Nets before another three-game road trip with the Heat (twice) and Bucks. In the span of 11 days, Indiana will play seven games against some of the best teams in the NBA.

March will not do Indiana any favors but April is a bit easier on the eyes and could be a big milestone for Indiana’s health, which is a two-for-one steal for the Pacers. With Caris LeVert and T.J. Warren potentially returning, Indiana has plenty of favorable matchups in April.

They will host Chicago, Minnesota, Oklahoma City, and Detroit throughout the month but will travel to Utah on Apr. 16 amidst a three-game road trip. The end of the season, however, will be as important as ever.

Indiana ends the season on May 16 against the Raptors, who will be right in the mix for a playoff spot of their own. They also play the Hawks and Wizards in the month of May, which could be massive for the playoff seeding.

But the end of the season is going to require a playoff-like mentality from the blue and gold. Prior to the visit to Toronto to end the year, the Pacers host the 76ers, Bucks, and Lakers. Being at home for this stretch is huge but Indiana has to be ready. Perhaps these teams will be locked into their respective playoff seeds and will rest some guys, giving Indiana a bit of a break.

The second half will not be easy but it will prepare Indiana for the playoffs if they stay on pace to make it. It may not be fun but it will be telling.