Despite entering the playoffs as the No. 4 seed in the East, many predicted that the Indiana Pacers would have a difficult time against the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round, with some experts even predicting them to lose the series. Four games in, the Pacers have a 3-1 series lead heading back to Indiana. While the series is not officially over yet, the Pacers are in a great spot to send their division rivals home early for the second straight season.
This is not a shock to Pacers fans, who know exactly how good the team has been recently. In addition to making the conference finals less than a year ago, the Pacers are fresh off their best regular season campaign in a decade, and they have proven that they will be a tough out for every team in the playoffs. They are still in their first-round series against Milwaukee, but it might be time for fans around the league to have an uncomfortable discussion regarding the Pacers.
The Pacers are proving they are legitimate title contenders
When NBA fans discuss the main championship contenders in the NBA, the Pacers are rarely a team that comes up. However, given their recent play, it is time for the Pacers to get their respect from fans and the national media.
Even in the first round of the playoffs alone, the Pacers are playing fantastic basketball. The Pacers are playing well on both sides of the ball, and they are executing their game plan perfectly. Additionally, they had their best game of the series during Game 4's 26-point victory, yet the Pacers were without Bennedict Mathurin, and only Myles Turner and Andrew Nembhard recorded more than 20 points. Tyrese Haliburton also recorded five turnovers in the loss, and Pascal Siakam had a 12-point, three-rebound performance.
The Pacers did get some incredible performances from most of their players, but this is still a dangerous thought, not just for the Bucks, but for every team left in the playoffs. Even when there is room for improvement, the Pacers are capable of blowing teams out on their home floor.
Indiana will have a chance to win the series on Tuesday back at home. If they can continue playing at the level they have so far, a series victory is likely inevitable. However, the Pacers have already made it clear that advancing to the second round is far from their only goal. They want to bring an NBA Championship to Indiana. And while this may seem like a pipe dream to most NBA fans on the surface, it is time to admit that the Pacers are much closer than many would assume, and they deserve to be recognized as a top title contender this postseason.