Indiana Pacers: 3 conditions for a successful season

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 05: Malcom Brogdon #7 of the Indiana Pacers is introduced prior to the first half of an NBA game against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena on February 05, 2020 in Toronto, Canada. 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 Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

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Indiana Pacers – Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports /

The Indiana Pacers just need to put up a fight in the playoffs

Indiana has not had playoff success in a long time. In order for that to change, they have to have their best players available when it matters the most. In the past two seasons, Indiana has been without Domantas Sabonis and Myles Turner in the playoffs or Play-in Tournament (2021) due to injury.

With a crowded Eastern Conference in front of them, Indiana should not be favored to win any meaningful series this season. The Nets, 76ers, Bucks, and Heat are just a handful of teams that will be more dangerous than the Pacers in the playoffs. None of those squads are easy to knock off in a series.

If we want to evaluate the Pacers’ postseason success, we must also consider the past and alter our expectations given the rest of the field. Indiana has not won a playoff game since 2018 and has not won a series since 2014.

They need to take baby steps before they can really consider themselves contenders. Indiana will have an experienced playoff head coach in Rick Carlisle and several quality impact players on their roster. They can certainly make some noise.

For their playoff run to be successful – assuming they make it that far in the first place – the Pacers just need to prove that they can hang with the top units in the conference. No sweeps. No blowouts. Just some quality matchups and a couple of wins.

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