The Indiana Pacers are experiencing a boost in morale following a successful stretch, winning three of their last four games. Back-to-back victories against the Chicago Bulls and the Atlanta Hawks at home have allowed the Pacers to climb one spot in NBA.com power rankings, rising from 27th to 26th, as reported by writer John Schuhmann.
While the Pacers currently sit in 15th place in the Eastern Conference, trailing the Washington Wizards after their win over Sacramento, the team is looking to build on their recent performance. Schuhmann noted that the Pacers have two remaining games on their current homestand; however, they will face a rest disadvantage against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday. Following these games, the Pacers will embark on a four-game road trip heading into the All-Star break.
Despite their recent successes, the Pacers’ offensive struggles have been evident this season, where they rank last in offensive efficiency. However, there has been an encouraging uptick in their scoring, as they have netted 13 points or more in each of their last four outings. Notably, Aaron Nesmith has emerged as a key contributor, averaging 18.0 points with an effective field goal percentage of 72.7% over the last four games. This marks a significant improvement from his earlier average of 13.1 points on 45% efficiency over 24 previous games. His game-winning shot and crucial block against the Bulls exemplify his impact on the court.
As the trade deadline approaches, the Pacers find themselves in a precarious position, potentially becoming sellers, which could influence the team’s trajectory for the remainder of the season. Nevertheless, they have a busy week ahead, featuring a back-to-back home matchup against the Houston Rockets and the Utah Jazz, followed by a clash with the Milwaukee Bucks and a road game against the Toronto Raptors.
The Pacers’ recent performances suggest a promising turn, and fans will be eager to see how the team can maintain its momentum as they navigate this pivotal point in the season.