NBA: Eastern Conference Championship candidates

3. Indiana Pacers:

The Pacers would look to maintain their strong team defense in the hope to make it past the Conference Finals this season.

Key Starters: – Paul George (All-Star, All-NBA 3rd team, All-Defensive 2nd team, Most Improved Player), Roy Hibbert (2.6 regular season blocks per game, 17 ppg, .511 FG% in postseason), David West (17.1 ppg, .498 FG% last season)

Key Reserves: – Danny Granger (missed 77 games with knee injury last season), D.J. Augustin

Key Acquisitions: – Luis Scola and C.J. Watson

They have exploded onto the scene in the past two years after taking the Miami Heat to their limits in the Playoffs. Their regular season performance is mediocre and will never be flashy, because it’s the postseason where this team leaves its mark.

Another heavily defensive minded team the Pacers led the league in number of points allowed per shot with a mere 1.0 and would look to maintain that stat.

Although George Hill and Lance Stephenson, the Pacers back court pair, are lesser known, their contribution to the team is invaluable and one that cannot be replaced. New acquisitions Luis Scola and C.J. Watson will be key players who were strengthen their weak bench. With all areas covered, the Pacers would be geared to make a mark once more in the Playoffs, however this team they would want to defeat the Miami Heat rather than pushing them to the limits once more.