A Pacers fan’s guide on who to root for in the 2022 NBA Playoffs

While the Indiana Pacers are not in the 2022 NBA Playoffs, the chase for the title is now underway. With the league’s talent pool as deep as ever, the next couple of months should be far from predictable as different storylines cut their way through every fanbase throughout the postseason.

The Pacers are nowhere to be seen, but that does not exempt fans of the Blue and Gold from jumping in on the fun before they nitpick on the front office’s potential moves in the offseason. Taking that into account, here is a Pacers fan’s guide on who to root for in the playoffs.

Who should Indiana Pacers fans root for in the 2022 NBA Playoffs?

Eastern Conference

• Hardcore Indiana Pacers fans are severely unlikely to root for the Miami Heat, the top seed in the conference. After all, both teams have converged quite a few times, with the Pacers usually ending up on the losing side. Pain is temporary, but perception is not. Oh, and Victor Oladipo. Be your own judge.
• Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics and defending champions Milwaukee Bucks have had the Pacers’ number in recent seasons, but both clubs are led by very likable stars and are not one-trick, one-ponies. Bank on at least one of them to make a deep playoff run.
• The Philadelphia 76ers and the Brooklyn Nets were early favorites to win the conference, and while both teams certainly have what it takes to viably contend for the chip, there is too much off-court drama involved. If you like storylines and heavy (and I mean, heavy) star power, feel free to root for them. The same applies for the Dan Burke stans.
• After a middling start to the season, the Toronto Raptors quickly rose in the standings, with some pundits picking them to be the likeliest team to pull off an upset. That hasn’t been the case so far, but this is the most unpredictable bunch in the league. Also, Thaddeus Young! Also, Nate Bjorkgren?
• The Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks are the ultimate underdogs in the East playoffs this year. There’s not much going for either squad as they go up against their matchup nightmares, but America loves underdogs! And Indiana loves its Nate! Yeah, the last coach which led the Pacers to the playoffs.

Western Conference

• The Phoenix Suns exude dominant energy, and they enter the postseason as the undisputed favorites to win it all. Organic team building? Check. Substance over style? Check. Coaching brilliance? Check. Depth and two-way excellence? Check. Chris Paul and Devin Booker lighting it up from mid-range? Scary hours. CP3 flops? Check.
• After missing the playoffs in the last two seasons, the Golden State Warriors are back to their dominant ways. Steph Curry is back. Klay Thompson, the man who torched the Indiana Pacers with 60, is back. Jordan Poole is hosting his Poole parties. Draymond’s legs are probably back. You can’t go wrong with this pick. They’re not villains anymore.
• Ja Morant. Memphis Grizzlies. 57 wins. Steven Adams being the lord of physique to kindness polarity. Kyle Anderson being the likeable guy for those who like to chill. Dillon Brooks for those who like the WWE. Oh, and that bench is intimidating. Root for them.
• The Minnesota Timberwolves made the playoffs! Ant and KAT are such feel-good stories that you should root for them to somehow pull off an upset over the Grizz, but then you should also root for Memphis. Still, they’re likeable, even if you aren’t the biggest Pat Bev apologist.
• I’m not so keen on the Utah Jazz, but the Bojan Bogdanovic factor may be more than enough to flip that narrative. Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks are without Luka Doncic to kick things off, but could be the biggest sleeper in the LEAGUE. If you want less predictability, here you go.
• The New Orleans Pelicans made the playoffs despite being 10 games below .500, which is just as impressive as it is unfair. Imagining a 36-win team usurp a 64-win club is crazy, but it is a viable thought for those itching for history, though it is extremely unlikely (is there a more emphatic superlative term to interject this one?).