Can the Pacers win fewer games and still improve?

Two of the best NBA total wins projections are out and both expect the Pacers to win much more than they projected at this time last year. Obviously, the Pacers blasted the 2017 preseason projections by roughly 17 wins (depending on your favorite source) so expectations have increased accordingly.

However, these projections don’t have the Pacers improving on their actual 48 win total from last season.

The Westgate Superbook released their initial NBA wins totals yesterday with the Pacers’ number set at 47.5 wins. Kevin Pelton, who uses his own statistical methodology for projecting wins, has the Pacers at 45.7 (Insider) which, same as the Superbook, would put the Pacers fourth in the Eastern…