by Ezequiel Serrano ’25

When it comes to the NBA, it’s easy to focus on the big names, even if their teams underperform, be it Lebron, or Steph, or rookie Victor Wembanyama. However, if you’re looking for truly exciting and entertaining basketball, you should be watching the Indiana Pacers.

This year, Indiana has been a very high scoring team, in fact, the highest scoring team, averaging nearly 129 points a game, nearly 5 points more than the next highest team. Their style of play is super fast paced, and highly break oriented, which makes it difficult for teams to defend. However when you watch their games, one thing is apparent, they’re goal isn’t to stop the opposing team, it’s to outscore them. With this type of mindset in play, it’s no surprise they also allow the most points in the league-nearly 126. They’re shooting splits as a team stand off the stat sheet as well, as they lead the league in FG percentage at 53.9%, top five in three point efficiency at 38.4%, and also shoot 60 percent from 2 point attempts. When your team leads the league in possessions at 108, and fast break points at  17.7, it’s no surprise their offense is so lethal.

Another major reason for the Pacers’ offensive imporvement has been the major increase in production from Tyrese Haliburton, going from 20 pts and 10 ast in 22-23, to 27 pts and 12 ast, on remarkably efficient shooting, with splits of 51-44-88.

The Pacers have also done a good job of surrounding Tyrese with players that hide his weaknesses,  namely his defense, including Bruce Brown and Jarace Walker.

How will this affect the pacers throughout the rest of the season and moreover post-season?

In my opinion the Pacers will remain entertaining and efficient on offensive, but need to shore up their defense if they plan to be a threat in the Eastern Conference and beyond.