Homecourt advantage could be key to deep Pacers playoffs run
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Time to take care of business at home. Photo: Dylan Buell/Getty Images
The Indiana Pacers will start the 2025 NBA Playoffs with home-court advantage and momentum.
Why it matters: The Pacers haven't entered the postseason in such a strong position in more than a decade, and are just one season removed from nearly reaching the NBA Finals.
Driving the news: The regular season wrapped Sunday with all 30 NBA teams hitting the court.
The Pacers closed in dramatic fashion, battling back from a 27-point deficit to beat the conference-leading Cleveland Cavaliers in a double overtime thriller.
- It was the biggest comeback of the 2024-25 NBA season.
Zoom in: Indiana (50-32) finished as the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference and will again meet the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round.
Flashback: The opening round of the 2024 playoffs saw the No. 6 Pacers eliminate the No. 3 Bucks in six games.
State of play: The Blue and Gold are finishing this season significantly better than they started it.
- The team went 16-18 before Jan. 1, but have amassed a 34-14 record since New Year's Day.
- The Pacers also reached the 50-win mark for the first time since 2014.
What they're saying: "I'm just really proud of our group and how we've been able to change the direction of our season," Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton said last week.
- "It's a big deal for us. We don't take that lightly … having home court going into the playoffs, it's a whole different type of responsibility we have to be prepared for."
Between in the lines: History tells us that home court can be a game changer for this Pacers lineup.
- The team didn't drop a single playoff game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse last year until meeting the Celtics in the Eastern Conference finals.
- Indiana also went 29-11 at home this season, the second-best home record in the East behind the Cavs.
Fun fact: The last time the Pacers started the playoffs at home was in 2014 when they were a No. 1 seed led by players like Paul George, Roy Hibbert and Lance Stephenson.
- That team would also go as far as the conference finals, falling to the Miami Heat in six games.
What's next: Game 1 of the Pacers and Bucks first-round playoff rematch tips-off at 1pm Saturday.
- Tickets start at $50.