Mar 25, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Indiana Pacers guard George Hill (3) is congratulated by teammates after hitting the game winning shot against the Washington Wizards during the second half at Verizon Center. The Pacers won 103 – 101. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
AM: The Pacers have been tremendously unlucky with injuries this year, yet still find themselves right in the Playoff mix. Is the idea of Indiana testing their luck in the lottery something fans would be okay with, or does there have to be an all or nothing charge for one of those final spots?
CC: In all honesty, the best possible outcome for the Pacers, when they had won 13-of-15 games, was for them to leap frog past the Milwaukee Bucks in the playoff standings, thus avoiding a first round meeting with either the Atlanta Hawks or Cleveland Cavaliers.
Now, Indiana is looking at either 39.4% chance of making the playoffs or a 1.1% chance of winning the lottery, per Hollinger’s Playoff Odds. Neither option is particularly palatable. Nonetheless, there is something to be said for gaining experience in the playoffs.
If the Pacers manage to squeak in as the eighth seed (albeit, in another nightmare match-up with Atlanta), Solomon Hill will get his first taste of meaningful post-season minutes and fans may get to see Paul George back in action. Not to mention, Indiana has found success building through the middle of the draft.
They got Paul George with the 10th pick in the 2010 draft. Roy Hibbert, though acquired in a draft day trade with the Toronto Raptors, was the 17th pick in the 2008 draft, and Solomon Hill was the 23rd pick two years ago. Given the team’s draft history and Bird’s disdain for tanking, making the playoffs is the best possible outcome for this season.
Next: Should Paul George Come Back Now Or Wait Longer?