NBA Playoffs: Updating The Eastern Conference’s Stretch Run

Mar 31, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Indiana Pacers forward

(21) reacts walking to his bench against the Brooklyn Nets during the second half at Barclays Center. The Nets defeated the Pacers 111 – 106. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

Indiana Pacers

Record: 32-42; 1.5 GB

With Paul George hopefully returning to the team before the end of the regular season, the Pacers should have a legitimate chance at sneaking into the NBA playoffs.

Indiana has been largely forgotten about this year due to the absence of their all-star small forward, as well as the departure of Lance Stephenson. Still, without George, this team has battled and remains competitive in the Eastern Conference.

However, time is running out for George and the Pacers to make a push with just eight games remaining on the schedule. The fate is largely in their own hands, as they face the Hornets, Celtics and Heat in their next three games, before running into a pair of bottom feeders in the East, in the Knicks and Pistons. Given their last three games of the year are against some of the NBA’s elite teams, the Pacers are going to have to take care of business in these next five games if they want a shot at the playoffs.

For this to happen, the Pacers simply need Paul George to come back and have an impact.

Next: Charlotte Hornets