Indiana Pacers: 5 Reasons For Optimism

Apr 29, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) celebrates with center Myles Turner (33) and guard Ty Lawson (10) against the Toronto Raptors during the second half in game six of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Pacers won 101-83. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

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Apr 29, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) celebrates from the bench with teammates against the Toronto Raptors during the second half in game six of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Pacers won 101-83. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Home Court Advantage

No team becomes a championship contender without establishing a legitimate home court advantage. No team made the playoffs with a losing record at home in 2015-16, and only one team did so in 2014-15—a Brooklyn Nets team that lost in the first round of the playoffs.

Despite losing much of its identity during the preceding offseason, the Indiana Pacers still managed to go 26-15 at home in 2015-16.

Indiana has a wonderful home crowd that shows up and unleashes a deafening level of support for the Pacers. That can’t be said for all NBA teams, no matter how passionate fans claim to be.

More importantly, it helps make the Pacers a perennial postseason contender.

Going into Indiana is already hard enough with an opposing player, Paul George, who can destroy your gameplan on both ends of the floor. Having to deal with a raucous crowd, which will not go silent, only magnifies the struggle.

It may not seem like much, but teams that protect their home court tend to make the playoffs.

Next: Embracing Change

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