Can the Indiana Pacers make a run?

The Indiana Pacers have had an awful 12 months. At this time last year, Indiana appeared primed to take the Eastern Conference’s top seed and perhaps topple the Miami Heat, then a two-time defending champion. Roy Hibbert was dominating inside, David West was providing muscle, Paul George became a superstar and Lance Stephenson was a Swiss Army knife.

Then, it all fell apart. Indiana earned the top seed but struggled mightily down the stretch, barely winning in the first two rounds before being unceremoniously bounced by Miami in the conference finals. The Pacers were a shell of themselves by the end and were made significantly weaker when George brutally fractured his leg in a USA Basketball scrimmage during the offseason.

With George rehabbing and Stephenson gone via free agency to the Charlotte Hornets, the Pacers are tied for 10th in the Eastern Conference at 20-32. Despite the ugly record, Indiana is only two games out of the postseason picture, trailing both the Heat and Brooklyn Nets. George is not expected back this season, although if the Pacers make the playoffs, he is a candidate to return.

Indiana has talent despite the injury to George and departure of Stephenson. Hibbert and West are still the heartbeat of the roster, although Hibbert has failed to blossom into a superstar. The former Georgetown standout is averaging just 11.2 points and 7.1 rebounds per game, statistics which are respectable but far from dominant. West is still churning out solid efforts on a nightly basis with 13.1 and 7.0 rebounds/game.

Unfortunately, the guard play is simply atrocious. Point guard George Hill is the only respectable member, leading the Pacers in scoring. Behind him is a group which includes C.J. Miles, C.J. Watson and Donald Sloan, all of which are anonymous names and faces to the rest of the NBA world.

The best things Indiana has going for it is a quality coach in Frank Vogel and a terrible conference. Vogel has the Pacers playing terrific defense and is looking at a schedule in March which includes two games against the New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks each, along with contests versus the Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers and Boston Celtics. Before March, Indiana will need to navigate through a tough stretch which sees the San Antonio Spurs, New Orleans Pelicans, Golden State Warriors, Oklahoma City Thunder and Cleveland Cavaliers over the next six games.

It will be tough for the Pacers to overcome their deficiencies but the East is conducive to making a run. Indiana would be a rough matchup for a top seed should it sneak into the playoffs and welcome back George.

Here are Monday’s games, along with odds:

Orlando Magic at Washington Wizards (-9.5)
Golden State Warriors (-15) at Philadelphia 76ersSan Antonio Spurs (-4.5) at Indiana Pacers
New York Knicks at Miami Heat (-5.5)
Brooklyn Nets at Milwaukee Bucks (-5)
Utah Jazz at New Orleans Pelicans (-5.5)
Atlanta Hawks (-5.5) at Minnesota Timberwolves
Los Angeles Clippers at Dallas Mavericks (-8.5)
Oklahoma City Thunder (-6) at Denver Nuggets