3 Important lessons learned after the Pacers' 2024 preseason

3. They still lose a number of close games

The Pacers lost more than a dozen games by five points or less a season ago. Their two losses are by one point to the Atlanta Hawks and four points to the Memphis Grizzlies.

One of their two wins was in overtime against the Charlotte Hornets. The Pacers managed to scrap their way to a 121-116 victory. Had the Pacers not outscored the Grizzlies 33-21 in the fourth quarter, it could have been a third defeat by five points or less in the preseason.

For instance, the Celtics went 64-18 last year. They had nine losses by five points or more and four of those came in overtime.

Good teams still lose close games. However, the Pacers mastered compared to the 2024 NBA Champions. This has to improve if Indiana look to return to the Eastern Conference.

Boston has the majority of their roster back. Teams like Philadelphia and New York got better with major additions in free agency and via trades.

This is definitely a major concern and should be a focus by Rick Carlisle and his coaching staff as the season goes on. The first game of the 2024-25 NBA season for the Pacers is Wednesday night at Detroit against the Pistons.