The Indiana Pacers, thanks to their current four-game winning streak, are fourth in the Eastern Conference. If everything stays the same, they will host the Milwaukee Bucks in a first-round playoff series, although the season is far from over and the standings could change.
The Pacers are a lowly 1-3 against the Bucks this season and have no answer for Giannis Antetokounmpo. It would still be an awesome series to watch, although, despite being a lower seed, the Bucks would likely be the betting favorite.
Indiana is three games behind the New York Knicks for the third seed, which would set up a first-round matchup against the Detroit Pistons if they could take their spot, although rising that high that quickly seems unlikely.
The ideal Pacers' path in the playoffs was recently revealed, although through the eyes of their historical rival, the Knicks.
The Pacers are only 1-2 against the Knicks this season, but two of those games came in the first month of the year when the shallow Knicks' roster was at its freshest. The Knicks simply don't appear to have the endurance for the playoffs, which could make a series in the Pacers' favor.
"The thing that makes the Pacers the scariest team for the Knicks in the first round is Indiana's pace," revealed *The Athletic's*James Edwards III The Pacers, like the Pistons, are playing fast now and will when the postseason starts. That is who they are. New York has already started to show signs of tiring with a few weeks remaining and isn't a great team in transition or even defensively when things aren't set."
Of course, the most realistic way for the Knicks and Pacers to meet in the opening round would be for the Pacers to fall all the way to the sixth seed.
As things stand, the fourth-seeded Pacers wouldn't be able to meet the third-seeded Knicks until the Conference Finals, meaning each team will need to topple the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics.
Related: Pacers Maintain Victory Streak, Overcome Nets in Nail-Biting Finish
"The Knicks can win this series with a relatively healthy Brunson, likely in six or seven games," Edwards III predicted before admitting that fatigue might get to New York.
Last year, the Pacers were the surprise team that went on a run. This season, their opponents have a better idea about what to expect.
Check out the All Pacers homepage for more news, analysis, and must-read articles.
Related: Myles Turner Breaks Silence on Pacers Fight With Nets
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This story was originally published March 23, 2025 at 12:06 PM.
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