The Indiana Pacers were swept by the Boston Celtics in the first round of the 2019 NBA Playoffs. Here’s what they can take from the loss and apply to next year.
In just four short games, the Indiana Pacers‘ 2019 playoff run was ended, and for what it’s worth, it’s still impressive that they managed the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference without Victor Oladipo. Their elimination at the hands of the Boston Celtics wasn’t a shoo-in, but they did look like the lesser team throughout the series during some scoring droughts that arguably cost them a few wins.
Although the Pacers strongest asset all 2018-19 was their defense (and that remained the theme during the playoffs), the offense just couldn’t quite produce when they needed to step on Boston’s proverbial throat. In Games 1 and 2, Indiana just couldn’t convert a basket in the second half, squandering a seven-point halftime lead in the third quarter of Game 1, and a 12-point fourth quarter lead in Game 2.
This series unquestionably lasts longer than four games if a healthy Oladipo takes the floor for the Pacers. Whether or not they beat the Celtics with him, though, is questionable, because Boston still showed during the regular season that it could beat a fully healthy Indiana team.
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In any case, Indiana still has a lot to look forward to in the 2019-20 season. If the Pacers play this summer’s free agent market right and put together a squad next year that has enough returnees from this year, they could return as a legitimate power in the Eastern Conference.
Here’s what the Pacers can do to start off strong this October and continue to be a relevant playoff team.