![Paul George, in his first full season back from his compound leg fracture, has led the Pacers back into the playoffs. [Photo: Frank McGrath/PS&E]](https://i0.wp.com/www.vigilantsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Paul-George-layup.jpg?resize=243%2C243)
Paul George, in his first full season back from his compound leg fracture, has led the Pacers back into the playoffs. [Photo: Frank McGrath/PS&E]
After a one-year hiatus, primarily due to the absence of three-time NBA All-Star Paul George for all but six games last season, the Pacers will take part in postseason competition for the fifth time in the last six years.
They won big Sunday afternoon — 129-105 — over the underwhelming and poorly comprised Brooklyn Nets (21-59), who lost their eighth game in a row.
It was the Pacers’ highest point total this season and their 42-point lead, 85-43, early in the third quarter was also their largest of the season.
The win officially clinched a playoff spot for the Pacers and eliminated the Chicago Bulls.
And now, the eight Eastern Conference playoff teams are finalized: Cleveland, Toronto, Atlanta, Boston, Miami, Charlotte, Indiana, and Detroit.
[VIDEO: Paul George on their return to the playoffs]
The Pacers had a chance to secure a spot with a win Friday night in Toronto against the Raptors, who sat four usual starters, but they had an awful performance and lost by 13. Then on Saturday night, the Cavaliers, who the Pacers could meet in Round 1, failed to give them the assist; they lost in Chicago by three.
The Pacers (43-37) win not only clinched a playoff spot, but it also moved them back into seventh — ahead of the Detroit Pistons (43-37) via the tiebreaker. Therefore, Indiana’s record must be equal to or better than Detroit’s over the final two games to guarantee itself the seventh seed.
The seventh seed will likely face Toronto in the 2-7 matchup, whereas the eighth seed would square off against top-seeded LeBron James and the Cavaliers. However, neither the Cavs nor the Raptors are locked into position.
The Pacers went 1-3 against both teams in the regular season.
Pacers remaining schedule:
Tuesday vs. New York – 7:00 pm
Wednesday at Milwaukee – 8:00 pm
Pistons remaining schedule:
Tuesday vs. Miami – 7:30 pm
Wednesday at Cleveland – 8:00 pm