Hungry Pacers want to finish as a top 4 team in the East, then advance in the playoffs

INDIANAPOLIS – Despite their surprising 33-25 record, the Indiana Pacers do not sound satisfied after returning from the All-Star break. They sound hungry.

“We got a lot to prove,” said All-Star guard Victor Oladipo after Thursday’s practice. “The job isn’t finished yet. I feel like we can be a real special team. Nobody believed that to begin with. Nobody’s told us how good we are. Have you heard it? I haven’t heard it.”

Just making the playoffs is not the goal for the Pacers. They had a short, disappointing playoff appearance last year, when they were swept in the first round by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

This year, the Pacers want to finish no worse than fourth in the Eastern Conference, which would secure homecourt advantage in the first round. They want to advance in the playoffs. They want to continue exceeding expectations, silencing doubters and proving that the first 58 games were not a fluke.

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“We feel like we can be a top four team in the East,” said forward Thaddeus Young, as the Pacers prepared for Friday night’s home game against the Atlanta Hawks. “We’re not stopping there. We want to get far in the playoffs. Third and fourth spot is in reaching distance within the East, these next 20 or so games. It’s just matter of continuing to win.

“Nobody thought we would be in this position right now. Everybody looked at us as being one of the lowest teams in the East.”

Heading into Thursday night’s NBA action, the Pacers were No. 5 in the Eastern Conference, just a half-game behind the Washington Wizards, and two games behind the third-place Cleveland Cavaliers. Finishing fourth or higher in the Eastern Conference is a realistic goal for the Pacers, with 24 games left in their season.

Here are five Pacers questions to ask following the All-Star break:

1. Will the Pacers be better than .500 over their final 24 games?

To finish third or fourth in the East, the Pacers will likely need at least 14 wins in their final 24 games. And their remaining schedule is difficult. They have just 10 home games remaining and 14 road games. They still have a pair of four-game trips – at Dallas, Atlanta, Milwaukee and Washington; and at Golden State, Sacramento, Los Angeles (Clippers), and Denver. The Pacers are in good positon to make the playoffs. But to secure homecourt in the first round, they will need to play well on the road.

2. Can the Pacers find a way to be less dependent on Oladipo?

Playing well without Oladipo has been one of the few things the Pacers haven’t done well. They are 0-6 without Oladipo in the lineup, making it imperative that he remain healthy. Oladipo also faces the challenge of not wearing down over the next seven weeks. He answered honestly Thursday, when asked if he felt like he got a break from the NBA schedule after playing in his first All-Star game.

“No,” said Oladipo. “Probably not as much as everybody else, but I don’t need it. I’ll be fine.”

Oladipo’s stamina has been one of the keys to his breakout season. But the Pacers may need other players to step up more often, if they are to win consistently from this point on.

3. How much will the return of Glenn Robinson III mean?

Robinson, recovered from ankle surgery, is scheduled to make his season debut Friday night. The Pacers need to become a better defensive team, and defending shooting guards and small forwards is Robinson’s strength. That could make a huge difference for the Pacers, particularly in late-game situations.

4. Can the Pacers continue to win without Darren Collison?

The Pacers are 3-1 without their starting point guard, who will likely miss at least another week following arthroscopic left knee surgery. The Pacers’ next three games are against Atlanta (twice) and Dallas, two of the NBA’s worst teams. If the Pacers can win those next three, then get Collison back, that would be a terrific way for them to return from the All-Star break.

5. Did the All-Star break derail the Pacers’ momentum?

The Pacers won seven of their last 10 before the break, including the last three. In some ways, Young was sorry to see the All-Star break come.

“Sometimes, the break can kill you a little bit,” said Young.

Young was concerned enough to pull aside several young players before the break like Joe Young, T. J. Leaf, and Myles Turner. Young’s message was clear.

“Don’t use this All-Star break as a time to party, have fun, do anything crazy,” said Young. “Continue to keep yourself in shape.”

The Pacers are in better shape than almost everyone expected when the season began. As they resume play after the All-Star break, it will be interesting to see if the best is yet to come.

Three things to know about Pacers at Hawks (18-41), 7 p.m. Friday at Bankers Life Fieldhouse:

1. The Hawks haven’t been as horrible recently, winning four of their last 10 before the break. Point guard Dennis Schroder (19.5 points per game) leads them in scoring.

2. In their only meeting this season, the Pacers downed the Hawks in Atlanta, 105-95, on Dec. 20. Oladipo led Indiana with 23 points.

3. The Pacers will see the Hawks again very soon, on Feb. 28 in Atlanta.

Follow IndyStar sports writer Clifton Brown on Twitter @CliftonGBrown

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