INDIANA PACERS: 38.5 WINS – OVER

Key Additions

• Bruce Brown (free agent)
• Jarace Walker (draft)
• Obi Toppin (trade)

Key Subtractions

• Chris Duarte

Rotation

• Guards
  • Tyrese Haliburton, T.J. McConnell, Andrew Nembhard
• Wings
  • Bennedict Mathurin, Buddy Hield, Bruce Brown, Aaron Nesmith
• Forwards
  • Obi Toppin, Jarace Walker
• Bigs
  • Myles Turner, Jalen Smith, Isaiah Jackson

Random thoughts, opinions, comments, declarations, queries, editorials, etc.

Seemingly becoming a national fan favorite overnight, the Pacers are everyone’s pick to either A) Make the play-in, and/or B) Lead the league pass rankings. Their front office drafted well and pivoted nicely from the Sabonis-Turner era to the Haliburton-Mathurin-Turner era. They refused to tank, and now find themselves in prime position to leapfrog a few teams in the East, specifically in that Knicks, Heat, Bulls, Hawks, & Nets tier. Carlisle is one of the best offensive minds in the league, and he’s got plenty of weapons to play with: athletes on the wings, Bigs who can shoot, and one of the best young PGs in the league in Tyrese “Oil Smooth” Haliburton. For the record, I had him 1st overall on my Draft Board from 2020. Unfortunately, the Warriors, Bulls, Cavs, Hawks, Pistons, Knicks, Wizards, & Suns didn’t.

Last Year – Interesting Stats:

• 35-47, 11th in the East
• Opponents PPG: 119.5 – 29th in NBA
• 4th in Pace
• 117.7 Defensive Rating – 26th in NBA
• Tyrese Haliburton YoY 3P%: 40.9%, 41.4%, 40%
• Myles Turner averaged 18 ppg, 7.5 reb, 2.3 blocks on 55% FG%

Keys to Success:

Tyrese stays healthy, Benny Numbers keeps his FG% above 45%, Obi & Myles shoot 35%+ from 3, Bruce Brown proves he’s worth every penny

Potential Obstacles:

Tyrese gets banged up early & often, Obi loses minutes to Walker for defense, Benny Numbers trends more Jordan Clarkson than Anthony Edwards, Turner finds himself on the trade block yet again.

Hot takes:

• Tyrese Haliburton’s nickname should be Oil Smooth
• Bennedict Mathurin’s nickname should be Benny Numbers
• Buddy Hield is traded by the deadline
• Nesmith replaces Hield without breaking a sweat
• Haliburton makes his first all star game
• So does Myles Turner

STANDINGS PREDICTION: 8TH IN THE EAST