The Indiana Pacers have clinched their second consecutive playoff appearance and have all but locked up the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference. Despite their slow start to the season, the Pacers remained resilient and now stand as one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. There is plenty of competition ahead of them, but the Pacers deserve their recognition and are a team primed to make another deep playoff run this year.
Recently, the Pacers have been on a roll, winning four consecutive games and 10 of their last 12. Additionally, they are 31-13 since the turn of the calendar. According to StatMuse.com, only the Oklahoma City Thunder and Boston Celtics have better records than the Pacers during that stretch.
As the beginning of the playoffs approaches, the Pacers will look to build off their momentum and continue their winning ways. Though a playoff appearance is guaranteed, another conference finals appearance is not. It is crucial for the Pacers that they are on their A-game during the postseason, and there is one area in particular they must excel at. Otherwise, it could lead to the end of their season.
The Pacers must remain efficient with the ball
Largely thanks to Tyrese Haliburton running the point, the Pacers are one of the best teams in the league when it comes to ball security. Their 13.2 turnovers per game rank fourth-best in the NBA, only behind the top-three teams in the league. Furthermore, because of this, the Pacers regularly win the turnover battle against their opponents.
This season, the Pacers are 31-18 when they commit fewer turnovers than their opponents. Additionally, they are 4-1 when they commit the same number of turnovers as their opponents. However, they fall to 12-12 in games when they lose the turnover battle and are 4-9 in such games on the road.
On the flip side, this stat proves that the Pacers must bring their best on the defensive side of the ball as well. To win the turnover battles, simply taking care of the ball is only half the game. Being able to force opponents into making mistakes is key, especially during the playoffs when the lights are at their brightest.
For the Pacers to have another deep playoff run, it is crucial that they win the turnover battle against the top teams in the league. Luckily for them, they are well-equipped to achieve this night in and night out.