3 reasons the Indiana Pacers will return to the playoffs
By Luke Parrish
The Play-in Tournament makes it a bit easier
With the Play-in Tournament returning next season, the Pacers will have a bit of an easier path to a playoff opportunity. Of course, they would have to win their games if they finish 7th-10th in the regular season but with 10 teams getting a crack at the postseason, that allows for some wiggle room.
Indiana missed out after losing the second game of the play-in but were on the verge of a playoff berth despite as many injuries as they endured. Having five good starters with depth behind each of them is good news for Indiana, as long as the injuries don’t pile up as quickly as they did a year ago.
It’s quite difficult to find 10 rosters better than what the Pacers can offer with Brogdon, LeVert, Warren, Sabonis, Turner, McConnell, Duarte, Brissett, and Sumner. Sure, there are weaknesses and a lot of room for improvement, but the Pacers have a very solid roster that should, at the very least, make the playoffs.
I would even argue that the Pacers, on paper, have a top-7 lineup in the Eastern Conference and could completely avoid the play-in games if things go well. Giving the Pacers some breathing room and asking them to simply be a top-10 team that can win a game or two should be plenty.