3 Important lessons learned after the Pacers' 2024 preseason

Going 2-2 in their four preseason games may not be a strong showing from a team that has high hopes this season. They exceeded expectations last season by making it to the Eastern Conference Finals as the sixth-seed. The Indiana Pacers also ended their four-year playoff drought.

Indiana looked too much like last year's team in some of the worst ways. Despite having the league's best offense a year ago, they also had one of the worst defenses.

The team scored an average of 124 points per game this preseason while giving up just under 121 points a contest. The Pacers have learned these three things from such games.

1. There cannot be a (major) regression in offense

Each season that Rick Carlisle has been the Pacers head coach, their offense has improved. They have scored more points a game in the last three seasons.

With All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton ready to go, the team also locked up Pascal Siakam, Obi Toppin, and T.J. McConnell. The Pacers also picked up options on Jarace Walker, Bennedict Mathurin, and Ben Sheppard.

With the NBA's best second unit last season, it was key to bring those players back. This should help keep the Pacers strong on the offensive side of the ball. Their starting lineup will still boast the names of Aaron Nesmith, Andrew Nembhard, and Myles Turner.

Indiana had more than 10 players average 10 points or more last season. Bruce Brown and Buddy Hield were traded away and Siakam joined midseason last year. Jalen Smith, who averaged 9.9 points a game, is now with Chicago.

This team shouldn't have an issue lighting up the score board. Unfortunately, the Pacers will only play in two games during their first 13 against teams that missed the playoffs last year. They will face the Knicks, Heat, and Magic twice during that stretch.