Ranking all 4 Indiana Pacers 2024 NBA Cup matchups

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Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat, Tyrese Haliburton, Jimmy Butle

Apr 7, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) dribbles the ball while Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports / Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

2. Pacers vs. Miami Heat

Of the three matchups discussed so far, the Pacers vs. Heat is the most exciting one on paper strictly in terms of basketball.

Last season, the Heat snuck into the playoffs as the No. 8 seed with a 46-36 record. The team went on to lose to the eventual champion Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs. However, they were without Jimmy Butler and Terry Rozier for the series.

With those two back in the mix, the Heat should be in a better position next season than they were last season.

Although they made very few external moves (signing Alec Burks away from the New York Knicks is their biggest such transaction so far), the Heat will always be a playoff contender with Erik Spoelstra as their head coach. Furthermore, rookie Kel'el Ware looked great during this year's Summer League and could be an immediate contributor to the team.

Additionally, with their well-known emphasis on intense defense, they are a great opponent for the Pacers, who led the league in scoring last season.

The Pacers should be a better team than Miami next season. Regardless, this is an exciting matchup on paper and should culminate in a really good basketball game. Furthermore, seeing how Myles Turner and Bam Adebayo go head-to-head should be exciting to watch for both fanbases.

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