INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Pacers clinched a spot in the playoffs for the second straight season on Tuesday night.

Now, their attention turns to clinching a top four seed in the Eastern Conference.

“It’s cool that we clinched a playoff berth, but we really want a top four seed so we’re trying to take care of business there,” Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton said. “That’s what’s really important. I don’t think there’s a struggle to keep a focus by any means.”

With a top four seed, the Pacers would have home court advantage in its first round matchup.

“Having that top four seed we think is really beneficial for us just because we feel very comfortable playing at home,” Haliburton said. “If you look at last year’s playoffs, the success we had at home, if you look at the second half of the season, how much success we’ve had at home.”

The Pacers have enjoyed much more success at Gainbridge Fieldhouse than on the road this season. They’re 26-10 at home and just 18-20 on the road. Plus, the Pacers are 14-3 in their last 17 home games.

In the playoffs last season, the Pacers started 6-0 at home before losing their last two home games to the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Haliburton gave another reason why a top four seed is important to them.

“The NBA’s just better when you can sleep in your own bed and keep your same routine,” Haliburton said.

The Pacers hold a three game advantage over the Bucks and Pistons for the No. 4 seed on Friday. They have the tiebreaker against the Pistons, but not against the Bucks.

Eastern Conference Standings

1. Cleveland Cavaliers (61-15)
2. Boston Celtics (56-20), 5 games back
3. New York Knicks (48-28), 13 games back
4. Indiana Pacers (45-31), 16 games back
5. Milwaukee Bucks (42-34), 19 games back
6. Detroit Pistons (42-34), 19 games back

The Pacers have six games remaining, four of which are at home. They get back to action on Friday against the Utah Jazz, with tipoff scheduled for 7 p.m.

After severe weather tore through at least 41 counties across the state last night, Indiana Gov. Mike Braun announced he would activate the Indiana National Guard to help residents impacted by the severe weather.

“Hoosier Guardsmen always answer the call to serve our state and our nation,” Gov. Braun said in the press release. “In times like these, I’m immensely grateful for the soldiers who are on the ground ensuring Hoosier safety.” 

The full extent of the damage to communities across Indiana remains unknown, but the Governor’s Office is continuing its damage assessments and recovery operations.

Last night, photos and videos from across the state showing damaged houses, destroyed factories and hazardous road conditions started to appear online. Daylight gave a broader view of the destruction in areas hit by tornadoes. Three tornadoes were confirmed by Thursday afternoon with the largest being an EF2 that hit near Brownsburg.

The Guardsmen will send units based in Jasper, Vincennes and Seymour to help with “Operation Sandcastle,” while units in Bedford, Terre Haute, Indianapolis and Chandler will remain ready if called upon. 

About 50 soldiers are supporting this mission, but more may be asked to help as the day continues.

As of Thursday, the Governor’s Office is working with the Indiana National Guard, Indiana Department of Homeland Security, Indiana Department of Transportation, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, and Indiana Department of Corrections to begin sandbagging operations in support of flood prevention of critical infrastructure and damage to civilian property. 

Live Indiana weather updates: Tornadoes, latest forecast, damage reports

Contact IndyStar reporter Noe Padilla at npadilla@indystar.com, follow him on X @1NoePadilla or on Bluesky @noepadilla.bsky.social.

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