For a long time, many believed that whichever NBA team had the best player in the series was the favorite to win and should be considered the team to beat. However, the Indiana Pacers are continuing to prove that this is an outdated way of thinking, and it is all about whichever team plays better as a unit, along with mathcups, momentum, etc.
Heading into their first-round matchup with the Milwaukee Bucks, many considered the Pacers to be the underdogs in the series despite them having homecourt advantage. This was because of the Bucks having Giannis Antetokounmpo, who nobody would argue was the best player heading into the series. However, the Pacers took care of business regardless and won the series in five games.
In the second round, they are currently up 3-1 against the No. 1 seed Cleveland Cavaliers. Rightfully so, many considered the Cavaliers as the favorite in this series, yet they are currently on the brink of elimination. Even given the injuries they have dealt with in the series, the Cavaliers still have Donovan Mitchell, who most would consider the best player in the series.
The Pacers are succeeding in the playoffs because of their playstyle, coaching, and overall brand of basketball. Given how stacked the remaining playoff teams are, the Pacers are not likely to have the best player in any potential series the rest of the way. This is not to say they do not have any great players, but the Pacers do not have a superstar or MVP-caliber player like most of the other playoff teams do. Regardless, the Pacers are a legitimate title threat this year, and they are constantly re-writing some of the biggest playoff narratives.
The Pacers are thriving on team basketball
Indiana remains one of the most cohesive units in the NBA because of their ability to play well with each other. The Pacers have fantastic chemistry and complement each other well on both sides of the ball. They may not be the most star-studded team on paper, but they know what works and have to get the best out of everybody. It also helps that Rick Carlisle is one of the best coaches in the league as well.
The Pacers have plenty of fantastic players. Tyrese Haliburton is one of the best young point guards in the league, Pascal Siakam is a reliable veteran who boosts the team on both sides of the ball, and Myles Turner is the perfect center for Indiana's system. Still, it is not likely that any three of these players would be considered the best in a deep playoff series. Regardless, the Pacers have proven time and again that it does not matter. They are a threat no matter what, and they are within reach of bringing an NBA Championship to Indiana.
It will be crucial for fans to monitor how far this will take the Pacers this year, but as it stands, they have earned their respect from the national media and will look to continue their impressive playoff success.