By the Numbers: Pacers Achieve Rare Underdog Status in Conference Finals Run

Indiana Pacers secured a spot in the Eastern Conference finals by defeating the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers, who had 64 wins, in a five-game series. Notably, this marks the second consecutive year the Pacers reached this stage, a feat no team seeded fourth or lower has accomplished since the NBA playoffs expanded to include 16 teams in 1984.

Despite being a fourth seed this season, few predicted such a deep playoff run for the Pacers. Their appearance in the conference finals last year was widely seen as a fortunate circumstance due to favorable matchups – facing a Milwaukee team missing Giannis Antetokounmpo entirely and Damian Lillard for several games in the first round, followed by eliminating a New York Knicks squad severely depleted by injuries in the second round.

Some observers worried Indiana might follow the path of the 2021 Hawks, another unexpected conference finalist who subsequently became a regular play-in tournament participant. However, the Pacers have proven their legitimacy this season by overcoming both Milwaukee in the first round and now Cleveland.

While it`s true the Bucks underperformed and the Cavaliers dealt with injuries (Darius Garland for the first two games, Evan Mobley and DeAndre Hunter in Game 2), Indiana dominated the series, notably through exceptional shooting. This precision marksmanship has been a defining characteristic of their playoff journey.

• Indiana is among only six teams in NBA history to achieve shooting percentages of 50% from the field and 40% from three-point range over their initial 10 playoff games. The others are the 2014 Spurs, 2009 Nuggets, 2005 Heat, 1992 Trail Blazers, and 1985 Lakers.

Beyond their shooting prowess, the Pacers have also demonstrated exceptional ball distribution. They have assisted on 68.9% of their made baskets, representing the highest assist percentage through 10 playoff games since the 2018 Golden State Warriors, a team often cited for their outstanding ball movement.

This collaborative and efficient offense was evident in Game 5, where Indiana recorded assists on 26 of 41 successful field goals, shooting 43% from beyond the arc (15 of 35) and 50% overall.

Tyrese Haliburton, solidifying his status as one of the league`s top players, finished with 31 points in Game 5 after scoring only two in the first quarter. Notably, Haliburton previously made the game-winning shot against Milwaukee in Game 5 and Cleveland in Game 2.

• Tyrese Haliburton has now made three game-winning shots within the final two seconds of playoff games during his career, placing him second in recorded NBA history, behind only LeBron James (six). Achieving this record with just two playoff appearances underscores his remarkable clutch performance.

Yet, Indiana`s success wasn`t solely dependent on Haliburton. The team consistently exploited Cleveland`s defensive vulnerabilities and received significant contributions from multiple players across the roster. This depth is highlighted by a unique historical achievement:

• The Pacers are the inaugural team in NBA history to feature a distinct leading scorer in each game of a playoff series they won in five games or more.

In Tuesday`s game, Haliburton`s six three-pointers across the final three quarters were crucial as the Pacers overcame a deficit that peaked at 19 points early in the second quarter. Indiana has repeatedly demonstrated a remarkable ability to mount large comebacks in elimination scenarios. In the first round, they recovered from a 20-point deficit to clinch the series against Milwaukee.

• Coming back from a deficit of 19 points or more to win a series-clinching game has occurred only five times since detailed play-by-play data became available in 1996. Impressively, Indiana is responsible for two of these instances, achieving them in back-to-back playoff rounds this year.

Furthermore, they`ve excelled in high-pressure situations. Game 5 against Cleveland remained within a one-point margin inside the final five minutes, officially categorizing it as a `clutch` game.

• Indiana currently boasts an undefeated record in clutch games throughout these playoffs. They are one of only two teams since 1996 (alongside the 2024 Celtics) to start a playoff run 5-0 in such tight contests over their first 10 games.

These frequent close finishes and dramatic comebacks position Indiana as a prime illustration of the significant parity now characterizing the NBA. The league`s postseason, once highly predictable, has transformed into an unpredictable free-for-all where upsets are common. This is seen with the second-seeded Celtics facing elimination down 3-1 against the Knicks. The Knicks themselves had to overcome challenges, including a significant 21-0 run and benefiting from calls, just to advance past the sixth-seeded Pistons in their first-round series.

Across the Western Conference, similar unpredictability reigns. The sixth-seeded Timberwolves defeated the third-seeded Lakers, and the seventh-seeded Warriors eliminated the second-seeded Rockets. Currently, the top-seeded Thunder are in a tight 2-2 series with the fourth-seeded Nuggets. If you believe you can accurately predict the outcome of this postseason, consider Tuesday`s NBA Draft lottery, where the Dallas Mavericks secured the top pick with a mere 1.8% chance.

The current playoff landscape is undeniably wild. It`s best to simply enjoy the ride. The Pacers are a legitimate, surging team now bound for the conference finals, likely facing the Knicks. The widely anticipated matchup between Cleveland and Boston has dissolved, replaced by unexpected outcomes. It`s pure, captivating chaos.