With less than a month to go until the 2024-25 season officially comes to an end, the Indiana Pacers are in a great spot to replicate last season's playoff success. They currently own the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference and have bounced back significantly after a slow couple of months at the start of the season.
Last season, the Pacers shocked the basketball world and made their first conference finals appearance in a decade. Despite ultimately getting swept by the eventual champion Boston Celtics, the Pacers were their toughest matchup of the postseason (which is a sentiment even Jayson Tatum has publicly agreed with). On paper, the Pacers looked like they belonged on the big stage. However, they had one major flaw the Celtics exposed--their inability to close games.
In Game 1, the Pacers blew the game despite having a three-point lead and the possession with 8.5 seconds remaining in the game. Additionally, the Pacers allowed the Celtics to go on a 13-2 run in less than three minutes to lose Game 3 and imploded late in Game 4.
However, despite what last season brought, the Pacers have turned it around in this area in a major way. What may have ended their title dreams last season could be what helps them this time around.
The Pacers are now one of the most clutch teams in the NBA
After collapsing multiple times against the Celtics during last year's conference finals, the Pacers have become one of the most clutch teams in the league. This was especially evident recently. Three of the Pacers' last four wins were by four or fewer points. Additionally, Tyrese Haliburton, Obi Toppin, and Andrew Nembhard all hit late game-winning shots to seal victories against the Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Dallas Mavericks, respectively.
According to NBA.com, the Pacers' 12.1 net rating in the clutch ranks as the fourth-best in the NBA. Only the Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets, and Memphis Grizzlies rank higher.
While the Pacers still have their flaws and are a level or two below the top title contenders in the league, nobody will doubt that they are a feared playoff opponent due to their resiliency and playstyle. However, add in the fact that they are now one of the top clutch teams in the NBA, it makes them an even scarier threat in the postseason.
The Pacers' growth in this area bodes well for their upcoming playoff run when they will go up against the top teams in the league. It seems that they have learned from their mistakes, but only time will tell how far that will take them.