Top 5 reasons why Indiana Pacers can win 2024 Emirates NBA Cup
The Indiana Pacers commence their four-game 2024 Emirates NBA Cup group play schedule at home on Friday against the Miami Heat in East Group B. Indiana will look to build off its runner-up finish in the NBA's inaugural in-season tournament.
During last year's NBA Cup championship game, the upstart Pacers fell 123-109 to the LA Lakers. Afterward, they finished sixth in the Eastern Conference (47-35), securing their first playoff berth since 2020 en route to making an unexpected conference finals run.
Indiana is no longer catching its opponents by surprise, as reflected by its middling 5-5 start. Nevertheless, Tyrese Haliburton and Co. have several reasons to be confident entering their NBA Cup schedule.
5 reasons Indiana Pacers are a legitimate threat to win 2024 Emirates NBA Cup
#5 East Group B features no teams above .500
While Indiana has gotten off to a mediocre start, the rest of East Group B has fared worse. The Pacers are the only team at or above .500 in the group.
The Milwaukee Bucks (3-8) and Miami Heat (4-6) have both underperformed. Meanwhile, little was expected of the rebuilding Detroit Pistons (5-7) and Toronto Raptors (2-10).
Thus, Indiana appears well-positioned to at least advance to the knockout rounds.
#4 Indiana plays well against premier opponents
While Indiana is 5-5, it has elevated its play against high-level competition. The Pacers have already racked up victories over the reigning NBA champion Boston Celtics (9-3) and defending Western Conference champion Dallas Mavericks (5-6).
Moreover, they have split pairs of matchups against the New York Knicks (5-5) and Orlando Magic (6-6), two 2024 playoff squads.
So, Indiana may be able to reach another level during NBA Cup group play.
#3 Additional playoff experience
Following last season's seven-game in-season tournament run, Indiana played 17 outings in the 2024 playoffs, going 8-9.
That extensive postseason experience should equip the young squad to better deal with the pressure of high-stakes matchups during its NBA Cup schedule.
#2 Pacers added Pascal Siakam after last year's NBA Cup final
While Indiana has lost depth since last year's NBA Cup final, it gained star forward Pascal Siakam. The two-time All-Star was acquired from Toronto in mid-January, a month after the Pacers' in-season tournament run.
Siakam has proven to be a strong fit in the franchise's fast-paced offense, serving as a three-level scorer. Through 10 appearances this season, he is averaging a team-best 20.0 points per game, shooting 54.4% and a career-high 44.7% from 3-point range.
Thus, Indiana's frontcourt should be much more formidable during this year's NBA Cup games.
#1 Bennedict Mathurin's improvement
Third-year wing Bennedict Mathurin appears to have taken a considerable leap. Across 10 contests, he is averaging a career-best 19.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.9 3-pointers per game, shooting a blistering 55.3% and 50.0% from downtown.
Mathurin has been even more productive since sliding into Indiana's starting lineup earlier this month. Through five starts, he is averaging 23.0 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 2.2 apg and 2.4 3pg, shooting a hyper-efficient 55.1% and 60.0% from deep.
So, the smooth scoring wing could continue his offensive breakout during the Pacers' NBA Cup schedule.