The Indiana Pacers have two games left in the regular season. While they don't have a playoff spot secured yet, they are in a great position to do so if they beat Cleveland on Friday. There's even a shot that the Pacers could still grab the third seed in the East.
If we are being realistic, the Pacers are going to make the playoffs. We don't know how much noise they are going to make, but they have a real chance to beat anyone with how good their offense is. Their defense has improved a lot since the All-Star break as well.
Still, in order for them to have the best chance of advancing in the playoffs, they will be rooting for a favorable first-round matchup. The best playoff matchup for them would have them either being the third seed (which is unlikely but still possible) or the sixth seed.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are the best playoff matchup for the Indiana Pacers
Of the available matchups for the Pacers, the Cavs are the best matchup for them. Indiana is 2-1 against the Cavs so far this season, although their two wins were before they acquired Pascal Siakam. Still, the Cavs are not playing good basketball right now.
Cleveland has lost four of their last five games and looks a little lost on the defensive side of the ball. The Pacers have the highest-scoring offense in the league. That's not a good combination for the Cavs. They also don't like to run and aren't great in transition defense, which is an advantage for Indiana.
We won't know what the final seeding is for the playoffs until the final day of the season. The standings are too close and have been for the last few weeks. Still, the Pacers have an excellent shot to be at least the sixth seed. If they are sixth, they have to hope the Cavs are third.