Indiana Pacers: Why getting swept by the Miami Heat was a fluke
Injuries are the biggest gauntlet that can instantly change the outlook of a playoff series. While the Indiana Pacers weren’t considered as favorites by most against the Miami Heat, especially with the latter sweeping them in the regular season, it bears heft to take note that the Blue and Gold never trotted out a full lineup against them.
Although the frequency of injuries and their over .600 record depreciates the excuse for the non-success, it is certainly true that the Pacers could’ve given the Heat a more strenuous wall to overcome in their affair. And to be honest, this is a very easy and valid take that most people don’t take into consideration.
Indiana’s lone All-Star last season, Domantas Sabonis, was nursing a foot injury that held him out of the bubble. Victor Oladipo, their returning star, was still getting back to shape after more than a year of layoff. Meanwhile, Miami had their full array of weapons to deploy, giving them substantial advantage right from the tip.
Aside from that, the home court advantage could’ve helped. As the fourth seed, the Bankers Life Fieldhouse could’ve given the team ample juice to come out of the gates roaring. Instead, what the Blue and Gold was awarded as the higher seed is having their team logo’s decal adorned in the center of the court for mere formalities.
Remember, the Indiana Pacers were 25-11 at home while the Miami Heat were only 15-22 on the road. It’s a big enough discrepancy to infer that the Blue and Gold could’ve won at least one game in their home floor as momentum would be theirs to begin with, and the entire series could’ve scripted a better ending for Indy.