The Indiana Pacers, with help from the Portland Trail Blazers, clinched a spot in the NBA Playoffs for the second straight season. With the Trail Blazers knocking off the Atlanta Hawks, the Indiana Pacers clinched a top-six seed in the NBA Playoffs.
The Pacers magic number is 5. They need five more wins and or losses by the Pistons and Bucks. If they reach that number, they lock up a top 4 seed in the playoffs. Knowing that, we will look at their possible first round opponents in this article. Let’s dive in.
Detroit Pistons
If the season ended today the Indiana Pacers would be the fourth seed and face the No. 5 seed Detroit Pistons. The Pacers hold a 3-1 regular season record against the Pistons. If we look at the Pacers record in the NBA Playoffs the Pistons hold the edge with a 3-0 mark. The Pacers are 44-31. The Pistons are 42-33. With only seven games left, one of these teams will be at home starting the NBA Playoffs. The other will be on the road. Let’s see the only other series we could have.
New York Knicks
I don’t see this scenario playing out. This happens if the Pacers lose and the Pistons and Bucks win more of their final games of the season. That would mean the Pistons and Bucks would play each other. After the near brawl suspensions, the Pistons have and the Damian Lillard blood clot issue, each team has issues. I can’t see this playing out. Even if it did, the Pacers eliminated the Knicks last year on their way to the Eastern Conference Finals.
What Is Next For the Indiana Pacers?
My final thoughts on the Indiana Pacers clinching the NBA Playoffs with seven games to go is great compared to last year when it was on the final day of the season. Indiana has played well when Point Guard Tyrese Haliburton is playing at a superstar level.
The team struggles when he is off the floor. As of late all the Pacers role players like Andrew Nembhard, Obi Toppin, and Bennedict Mathurin have been playing at a much higher level. Pascal Siakam has to play at an All-NBA level like he has in past seasons. I believe this team can take the next step in the 2025 NBA Playoffs.
