Hoops Habit
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Playing ‘Contender or Pretender’ With Eastern Conference Playoff Teams

By Jon Shames

Nov 22, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) shoots the ball as Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) defends in the second quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 22, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) shoots the ball as Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan (10) defends in the second quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 7, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) reacts to making a basket and getting fouled with 15 seconds to go in the game against the San Antonio Spurs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats San Antonio 99-91. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) reacts to making a basket and getting fouled with 15 seconds to go in the game against the San Antonio Spurs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats San Antonio 99-91. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

Indiana Pacers – 7th seed

The Indiana Pacers did a good job of retooling the roster this summer after saying goodbye to longstanding starters in Roy Hibbert and David West. Most notably, the team picked up Monta Ellis, Jordan Hill, and drafted rookie standout Myles Turner. Indiana also signed Ty Lawson on Monday, after he was waived by Houston.

With Paul George returning to action as well, the Pacers were primed for a good season.

They haven’t delivered consistently, but their defense has been top-notch (fourth in defensive efficiency), and when their offense is chugging, they become a hard team to beat. Unfortunately, so much of it depends on outside shooting. Historically, this has been an issue for playoff teams.

Fortunately, the Pacers’ style caters to playoff basketball; their best wins have come in slow-paced, grind-out games. Though they need to be converting from the perimeter to get points up, their defense has been good enough to hold off — or slow down, at least — some of the Association’s best offenses.

Having said that, the seventh-seeded Pacers would be matched up with the Toronto Raptors if the playoffs started today, and while Indiana certainly has a shot (especially given its playoff experience), it’s hard to see them pulling out a series win against a team that has entered into the “elite” sphere on both ends of the floor.

Verdict: Pretender

Prediction: First-round loss vs. Toronto (4-3)

Next: Charlotte Hornets