Indiana
With playoffs clinched, Pacers now hunting top four seed
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
- Cleveland Cavaliers (61-15)
- Boston Celtics (56-20), 5 games back
- New York Knicks (48-28), 13 games back
- Indiana Pacers (45-31), 16 games back
- Milwaukee Bucks (42-34), 19 games back
- 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.