The Indiana Pacers have a scant 19 games left in the season and are precariously perched in 6th place in the Eastern Conference at the moment. They’re five games behind the 4th place Toronto Raptors, who are without Kyle Lowry’s services until the playoffs, and whom the Pacers play 3 times this month.
Home court — while not particularly likely — is within their grasp. They’re also only 2.5 games ahead of a 10th place finish, and Paul George likely using his unexpected free time shopping for real estate in LA.
All of this is to say: The Pacers need to finish the season strong.