The Pacers' 2016-17 season was a mess before their final stretch into the playoffs. After firing coach Frank Vogel in the offseason, and hiring Nate McMillan, they planned to play a faster style of basketball and transformed their roster for the new offense. The plan didn't work, and they actually ended up playing a hair slower this season.

The moves, bringing in several veteran players, led to a lackluster offense that managed to win just enough games to hover around a playoff spot. Indiana's defense wasn't impressing anyone either, and overall the team was incredibly average.

That all has changed though, and the Pacers are bringing a five-game winning streak into the postseason.

Indiana's recent upward trend can be traced back to one moment: when Lance Stephenson was brought back. Stephenson isn't the only reason this team is playing well, but there is no denying the impact he's made in his short time with the Pacers.

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Let's just look at the basic numbers. Stephenson's first game was against the Cavaliers at the beginning of April. Since that time, Indiana has averaged 116 points, a dramatic bump from the 105 points per game the team averaged during the season.

Yes, it's a small sample size (six games), and a double-overtime game inflates the numbers a bit. But Stephenson has given the Pacers' bench a much-needed spark. Indiana finished the season with a bench net-rating ranked 28th in the league. If we adjust that stat to the last six games, they rank 12th.

More importantly, Stephenson has helped the team find the identity they were searching for.

"This season has been a reality check," Paul George told ESPN.com in March, weeks before Stephenson was signed. "You think you are gonna be in those playoff battles, playing alongside those guys forever. You have to try and recapture that moment. And that moment for us was having a strong chemistry and identity. We don't have one now. I've never been on a team without an identity — without a toughness identity."

Stephenson brings that chemistry, and that toughness. The chemistry has been obvious to anyone who was watched this team all year. Ever since No. 6 joined, players have an extra bounce in their step. As for the toughness? That's just part of Stephenson's DNA, and you can take the end of the Raptors game as evidence of that.

Lance Stephenson lays it in late, and the Pacers and Raptors get into it. pic.twitter.com/BJ66v43Rve — Jordan Heck (@JordanHeckFF) April 5, 2017

All of this success wouldn't be possible, though, without George playing lights-out basketball. The All-Star forward won Player of the Month for April by averaging an NBA-high 32.8 points per game. He shot 54.8 percent from the field and 42.4 percent from three-point range in April, while adding 8.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.17 steals (third best).

His performances in April were an extension of his excellent play near the end of March. McMillan recognized the role both George and Stephenson played when speaking to reporters after the team's regular season finale.

"Paul has played a big part in that,” McMillan said about the team's 5-0 stretch. “Lance has played a part. We’re playing with a little more edge than we have all season. I’m seeing a little bit more sense of urgency, and a little more fight in our guys. When you have Paul playing the way he's playing and the energy Lance is bringing off the bench, firing guys up with his play, his mouth, we’ve been a lot better."

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George and Stephenson have been obvious catalysts for the Pacers' run, but other factors have played a role as well. The bench has been playing smaller as McMillan made slight adjustments. Also, Thaddeus Young's left wrist has healed, allowing him to play at a higher level. He removed medical tape from his wrist April 2 and has shot 61.9 percent from the field since that time, an increase from his 50.4 percent in March.

Not too long ago, the Pacers appeared to be dead in the water, and missing the playoffs was a strong reality. Instead, they have rallied together at the right time and look to take this rejuvenated roster into the playoffs to contend with the Cavs.

Taking on the title-defenders will be difficult, but don't be surprised if this series goes to seven games. The Pacers already proved they can keep up with the Cavs, going to double-OT with them at the start of the month.