There are only six more games left for the Pacers to consolidate and validate their direct access to the playoffs. Currently sixth in the East, Tyrese Haliburton's teammates have the advantage of having their destiny in their hands, and they can aim higher and gain home field advantage, but also fall… to 8th place!
As in the West, the situation in the East is particular and tight, from the Cavaliers (3rd) to the Sixers (8th), the teams are within five victories, and Indiana is in the middle of this “soft underbelly”, while the team has not reached the playoffs since… 2021. The big victory against the Nets could be reassuring, but Rick Carlisle is very wary. Because the two teams meet in Brooklyn, starting Wednesday.
“There were obviously a lot of good things in this match, but we will have a real challenge on Wednesday with how it went” reacts the Pacers coachreferring to the expulsion of Jalen Smith. “There was electricity in the air and all that kind of stuff. This will be a very good test. Six games left, so much going on… Forgetting good habits can really affect you in the next game. We have to be careful and we have to correct a lot of these things. »
And when Carlisle speaks of being ” attentive » or to avoid »forget good habits“, it’s because the Pacers are capable of the best and the worst. The best is this record of 4v-1d against the Bucks. The worst are the two defeats against the Blazers this season.
A “final” against the Heat
NBA Cup finalists, the Pacers must first focus on themselves and look back, before considering aiming higher. It starts with this trip to Brooklyn on Wednesday evening, but the rest will be more complicated with the reception of the Thunder, who are fighting for 1st place in the West, and the Heat, 7th. This will perhaps be the “final” for 6th place since the winner of this match will win the “tie-breaker” in the event of a tie.
The Pacers therefore have their destiny in their hands, and a victory against the Heat, which could lock their 6th place, will allow them to focus on the future, and a possible home advantage. For now, the Cavaliers and Knicks are 3rd and 4th, but with only two and one win more than the Pacers.
