ESPNvia their NBA staff, recently released their predictions for the Eastern Conference standings during the 2024-25 season, and they ranked the Indiana Pacers in seventh place.
The Pacers are projected to finish the season with a 46-36 record, which puts them between the Miami Heat and Orlando Magic. Last season, Indiana reached the Eastern Conference Finals and finished in sixth place in the Eastern Conference.
It took the Blue and Gold 82 games to secure a playoff spot. They won on the final day of the season to clinch the sixth seed in the East. They were close to a play-in spot but avoided it before knocking off the Milwaukee Bucks and New York Knicks in the playoffs.
ESPN predicts Indiana will win one fewer game next season. The Pacers are bringing back largely the same team from 2023-24, and one of the main reasons they feel comfortable bringing it back is because they have a young team. Many of the team’s key players are under 25.
With the team being younger, internal development alone could help Indiana win more games next season. But it’s reasonable to believe the Boston Celtics will still lead the East, and the Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks have made major talent additions this offseason.
Add in small but smart moves by the Milwaukee Bucks and Magic, and it’s easy to see why the top of the Eastern Conference is ranked the way it is. Getting to 47 wins in the Eastern Conference will be harder in 2024-25 than it was last season.
THE ESPN The Pacers are one win behind the Magic and one ahead of the Heat. The Blue and Gold are about to start their first full season with Pascal Siakam, who they acquired via trade in January, so they have every right to expect that they will be an improved team next season.
There are eight teams in the East that have a right to believe they can be among the top six teams in the conference, so every win will be important next season as teams battle for a playoff spot. ESPNComplete Eastern Conference Standings Prediction can be found here.
