Final thoughts and grade
Conference Finals Stats: 0-4 Record, 112.8 PPG, 119.5 PAPG, 115.8 ORTG, 122.7 DRTG, 42.8 RPG (11 O and 31.75 D), 29.3 APG, 5.5 SPG, 2.8 BPG, 15.5 TOV, 21.5 FPG 50.7/33.9/82.1 Splits on 58.5% TS
As for the team, this is a tough series to grade.
The record speaks for itself, but it also doesn't in a way. Looking at Indiana's 0-4 record in the series and how people talk about them, you'd think every game was lost by an average margin of 20 points and the Pacers were without a prayer against the Celtics. In reality, this couldn't be further from the truth.
Indiana had Boston on the brink of an 0-1 series deficit in Game 1, only to throw it away. Four days later, they once again had Boston on the brink of a loss, this time at home, only to throw it away. Finally, on May 27, the Pacers had Boston on the brink of a loss for the third time, only to throw it away, along with the series.
Smallest average margin of victory for playoff sweeps during the 16-win postseason era. pic.twitter.com/e7QhQikaZr
— Todd Whitehead (@CrumpledJumper) May 28, 2024
Ideally, Indiana should be preparing for Game 6 tonight after going up 3-1 in the series with a commanding Game 3 win. Instead, they are headed home to sit with their newfound experience and improve for next season. There is no doubt that this team can, and will get better.
This series hurts, but in the end, it should be looked at as a positive for the Pacers. They were not expected to be here, and they fought as hard as they could against a team that was well above their level according to everyone.