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Indiana Pacers: Much Needed Playoff Boost

By Matthew Handel

Mar 12, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) and guard Monta Ellis (11) congratulate each other during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) and guard Monta Ellis (11) congratulate each other during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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Barely hanging on to a playoff spot, the Indiana Pacers need wins; their upcoming schedule can provide that.

The Indiana Pacers have been on a good run as of late, winning four of their last five games. Three of those wins even came against teams that are currently in the playoff race. Despite this good stretch, the Pacers still find themselves only in seventh place in the Eastern Conference. With only 15 games left in the regular season, the Pacers will take all the help they can get.

There is already a great opportunity in front of them. Seven of their next eight games are at home, with the lone road game against the Brooklyn Nets, who have the second-worst record in the Eastern Conference. The Pacers are 20-11 at home and also score more there, averaging 102.7 points compared to 101.3 points per game on the road.

It only gets better for the Pacers; four of these next eight games are against teams who have records below .500. But, it can’t all be perfect; the other four teams are all very dangerous. They have to play against the Toronto Raptors, Oklahoma City Thunder, Chicago Bulls, and Houston Rockets.

Playing against teams that have a lot of star power will be no easy task, but playing on their home court will help them a lot.

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One player sure to be one of the Pacers’ biggest weapons over these next eight games is Paul George. George is averaging 22.6 points per game over the last five games. He is also throwing down monster dunks, even if they don’t count–like this one. If he can throw some of these types of dunks down in a game, it will surely fire the team up.

Looking ahead is great, but the Pacers will need to focus on their next game against the second-place team in the Eastern Conference; the Toronto Raptors. Three areas stick out as advantages for the Pacers to get a much-needed win against a great team.

The first thing that the Pacers should focus on is rebounding. The Pacers are averaging 44.3 rebounds per game at home and the Raptors are averaging 42.8 rebounds per game on the road. If the Pacers can out-rebound the Raptors–and the stats point to the fact that they should–it puts them in a great position to win this game.

The next area the Pacers could attack is passing. They average 20 assists per game on their home court compared to the Raptors, who average 18.7 assists per game on the road. Quick ball movement and getting all five players involved in the offense will boost the amount of assists the Pacers get, which will set them up for a win at home.

Finally, staying out of foul trouble is key. The Pacers average 18.2 fouls per game on their home court, compared to the Raptors who average 20 fouls per game on the road.

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It won’t be easy, the Raptors are a great road team; so far this season they have a road record of 19-13. But, if they can start there home stretch with a big win against a quality team, it only makes an easy stretch, even easier.

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