The Pacers are entering the 2024-25 season with serious momentum after a run to the Eastern Conference Finals. While some may point to injury luck in their playoff success — such as Giannis Antetokounmpo getting hurt in the first rond and the Knicks being depleted in the conference semifinals — Indiana wasn’t at full strength either. Tyrese Haliburton, hindered by a hamstring injury, wasn’t the superstar he was earlier in the season. And though he played well against New York, he missed the last two games against Boston. Additionally, the Pacers were without Bennedict Mathurin, who averaged 14.5 points per game in his second year and could have provided a spark in the playoffs.
This season, Indiana is primed to be even better. Pascal Siakam, who joined midseason last year, now has a full offseason to gel with the team. Siakam put up solid numbers after being traded from the Raptors — 21.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game — but a full training camp could help him take things up a notch. A healthy Haliburton, one of the league’s most electrifying playmakers and top pick-and-roll passers, will also be a major factor. This duo should be a nightmare for opponents.
Indiana will also benefit from Andrew Nembhard’s confidence building throughout the course of the postseason. Nembhard signed a big contract extension after his playoff run, where he averaged 14.9 points and 5.5 assists per game. Nembhard is a good shooter, decision-maker and defender. He and Haliburton have the potential to become one of the best backcourts in the league.
The starting lineup is rounded out by Aaron Nesmith and Myles Turner. Nesmith is a classic 3-and-D player who doesn’t need the ball to impact games offensively and takes on the toughest defensive assignments on the other end of the floor. Turner, meanwhile, is one of the NBA’s top rim protectors and can stretch the floor with his shooting (35.8% from 3). Every team would love to have a center like Turner.
Mathurin’s return from injury should also be a significant boost for the Pacers. He has the potential to be a Sixth Man of the Year contender and could lead what might be the best bench in the NBA. T.J. McConnell was a standout during last year’s postseason, holding his own against some of the East’s best guards. The Pacers rewarded him with a new deal. They also re-signed Obi Toppin, who brings elite athleticism and has developed into a reliable 3-point shooter. Ben Sheppard and Isaiah Jackson also add depth, with Sheppard bringing versatility on both ends of the floor, and Jackson providing energy and rebounding.
Another intriguing piece is Jarace Walker, the eighth pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. Although Walker didn’t see much playing time as a rookie, his defensive versatility and effort to improve his offensive skills could earn him a bigger role this season. Standing at 6-foot-8, he’s shown flashes of shooting promise, and his offseason focus has been on improving his ball handling and shot creation.
The sum of all of these parts is a team that was second in the NBA in adjusted offensive rating last season (120.1) and played at a blistering tempo, ranking second in pace of play. They focus on high-quality shots and have a clear sense of roles and purpose. Offensively, they’re likely to be a top-five team again this year.
The big question is whether they can shore up their defense. Indiana ranked just 24th in adjusted defensive rating (117.9) last season, and with several teams in the Eastern Conference improving, breaking into the Top 15 on defense could be crucial for their success.
Overall, it’s hard not to be optimistic about the Pacers, both in the short and long term. Like the Magic and Cavaliers, this Indiana team is looking to move into the top tier of the conference. With the talent they’ve assembled and Rick Carlisle — one of the best coaches in the league — leading the way, they have a legitimate shot at doing just that.
Pacers Win Total Prediction
All of the talk heading into the season is about the Celtics, Knicks, Sixers and Bucks, but it’s likely that somebody will end up crashing the party. Why not the Pacers? This Indiana team plays beautiful basketball, as the offense operates with machine-like efficiency and most of the players on this team are firmly in their primes. The Pacers also have continuity, plus some young guys that could make a splash this year. I absolutely love the Over on Indiana, and this is a team I’ll be looking to back throughout the course of the season. The Pacers were 54-43-3 ATS last year.
Bet: Over 46.5 Wins (-110)
