Pacers are silently emerging as a threat in the East

After making the Eastern Conference Finals in 2024, the Indiana Pacers have been overlooked as a threat this season. A slow start from Tyrese Haliburton and a lack of a genuine star running mate have ensured Indiana has been left to its own devices. 

However, Rick Carlisle's team just took care of the Milwaukee Bucks in five games. It may be time to start taking the Pacers far more seriously. 

Indiana has now booked a second-round series against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Both teams play a movement-heavy passing game. And both teams are elite on offense. Cleveland's advantage will come via its ability to shut things down on defense. 

However, the Pacers have proved that their breakneck style of play can put even the sternest of defenders in a blender. 

"That’s just the power of moving the ball," Pacers center Myles Turner said during a postgame news conference. "After watching the film on the third quarter last game, I think that we didn’t necessarily take bad shots, but this wasn’t our brand of basketball. I think that we did an amazing job of moving the ball tonight. When the ball hums like that, great things happen for us."

Cleveland will come into the second round as a heavy favorite. However, it was the Pacers who went one step further last season. Their lack of star talent next to Haliburton means that they're being overlooked. In truth, they're more than capable of causing an upset and cutting the Cavaliers' season short. 

Haliburton is having a strong start to the postseason, too. In his first five games, he's averaging 17.6 points, 11.6 assists and 6.4 rebounds. He's shooting the rock at a 60.0 percent clip from two-point range. However, he must improve his perimeter scoring if he wants to help derail Cleveland. 

Kenny Atkinson must ensure his team is prepared for the onslaught Indiana will throw at it. They might not be discussed in the media, but the Pacers are a highly talented roster, capable of making it back to the conference finals again this year.