The NBA has just released the schedules for all teams, and looking at the Pacers, this coming year, I am going to go out and say the Pacers win over 50 games AND take the division.  That’s right, I’m putting it all out there by saying this Pacers team could overtake the Chicago Bulls for the division.  With the way the Bulls played without Derrick Rose in the playoffs, and not having him for a good portion of this coming season, why not?
I don’t think the other teams in the Central Division are close to the Pacers and Bulls as far as team talent goes, so that should bode well for this team.  The Cavs could be an improving team, but don’t think they’ll get close this season.  The Pistons didn’t move much, and the Bucks aren’t a team to worry about therefore.  You would almost say it’s the Pacers or Bulls division to lose.
The Pacers will have some tests this coming season though, for example facing the San Antonio Spurs twice this season.  That was a game last year, where the Pacers made it look close, but I felt like the Spurs had that game the whole way through.  So it’s important to take care of that Spurs team, and show that the Pacers are making a step up.
The Pacers get a shot at the Bulls in early December, which might have a playoff feel after the way these teams have played each other the past couple of years. Once again, important to pick up those wins against a team like the Bulls can the Pacers are improving themselves and not taking steps back.
Other key games include a visit to Oklahoma City, where people have said that’s the loudest crowd they’ve encountered.  Last year, the Pacers were up double digits for most of the game against the Thunder, and held off a furious rally at the end, so that should be a fun game to watch.
The Miami Heat will make two trips here to Indianapolis February and March. Â The Pacers got knocked out of the second round by the eventual NBA Champs, so another great test for the Pacers to see where they are.
The biggest thing is that the Pacers need to continue that turnaround of beating the teams that you’re supposed to beat, like the Pistons, Kings, Warriors, and those lower tier teams.  The schedule early on is favorable for the Pacers, so picking up early wins like last season puts them in a good position for the division title.
Just as important to finish, which the month of April, looks favorable as well.  There’s a three game window against the Wizards, Cavs, and Nets, who could all be out of the playoff picture, which means the Pacers should take care of business there.
Once again, 50 wins or more and a division title would be the ideal situation for this Pacers team. Â Anything less than a playoff appearance would be a failure, so the Pacers need to go out and show that this team effort, not having a true superstar, can win titles.
What are your expectations for this year’s Pacers team?
OCTOBERÂ
Wed, Oct 31
@Â Toronto Raptors
NOVEMBERÂ
Fri, Nov 2
@ Charlotte Bobcats
Sat, Nov 3
vs Sacramento Kings
Mon, Nov 5
@ San Antonio Spurs
Wed, Nov 7
@ Atlanta Hawks
Fri, Nov 9
@ Minnesota Timberwolves
Sat, Nov 10
vs Washington Wizards
Tue, Nov 13
vs Toronto Raptors
Wed, Nov 14
@Â Milwaukee Bucks
Fri, Nov 16
vs Dallas Mavericks
Sun, Nov 18
@Â NY Knicks
Mon, Nov 19
@Â Washington Wizards
Wed, Nov 21
vs New Orleans Hornets
Fri, Nov 23
vs San Antonio Spurs
Tue, Nov 27
@Â Los Angeles Lakers
Fri, Nov 30
@Â Sacramento Kings
DECEMBER
Sat, Dec 1
@Â Golden State Warriors
Tue, Dec 4
@Â Chicago Bulls
Wed, Dec 5
vs Portland Trailblazers
Fri, Dec 7
vs Denver Nuggets
Sun, Dec 9
@Â Oklahoma City Thunder
Wed, Dec 12
vs Cleveland Cavaliers
Fri, Dec 14
vs Philadelphia 76ers
Sat, Dec 15
@Â Detroit Pistons
Tue, Dec 18
@Â Milwaukee Bucks
Wed, Dec 19
vs Utah Jazz
Fri, Dec 21
@Â Cleveland Cavaliers
Sat, Dec 22
@Â New Orleans Hornets
Wed, Dec 26
vs Chicago Bulls
Fri, Dec 28
vs Phoenix Suns
Sat, Dec 29
@Â Atlanta Hawks
Mon, Dec 31
vs Memphis Grizzlies
JANUARY
Wed, Jan 2
vs Washington Wizards
Fri, Jan 4
@Â Boston Celtics
Sat, Jan 5
vs Milwaukee Bucks
Tue, Jan 8
vs Miami Heat
Thu, Jan 10
vs NY Knicks
Sat, Jan 12
vs Charlotte Bobcats
Sun, Jan 13
@Â Brooklyn Nets
Tue, Jan 15
@Â Charlotte Bobcats
Wed, Jan 16
@Â Orlando Magic
Fri, Jan 18
vs Houston Rockets
Mon, Jan 21
@Â Memphis Grizzlies
Wed, Jan 23
@Â Portland Trailblazers
Sat, Jan 26
@Â Utah Jazz
Mon, Jan 28
@Â Denver Nuggets
Wed, Jan 30
vs Detroit Pistons
FEBRUARYÂ
Fri, Feb 1
vs Miami Heat
Tue, Feb 5
vs Atlanta Hawks
Wed, Feb 6
@Â Philadelphia 76ers
Fri, Feb 8
vs Toronto Raptors
Mon, Feb 11
vs Brooklyn Nets
Wed, Feb 13
vs Charlotte Bobcats
Wed, Feb 20
vs NY Knicks
Fri, Feb 22
vs Detroit Pistons
Sat, Feb 23
@Â Detroit Pistons
Tue, Feb 26
vs Golden State Warriors
Thu, Feb 28
vs Los Angeles Clippers
MARCH
Fri, Mar 1
@Â Toronto Raptors
Sun, Mar 3
vs Chicago Bulls
Wed, Mar 6
vs Boston Celtics
Fri, Mar 8
@Â Orlando Magic
Sun, Mar 10
@Â Miami Heat
Wed, Mar 13
vs Minnesota Timberwolves
Fri, Mar 15
vs Los Angeles Lakers
Sat, Mar 16
@Philadelphia 76ers
Mon, Mar 18
@ Cleveland Cavaliers
Tue, Mar 19
vs Orlando Magic
Fri, Mar 22
vs Milwaukee Bucks
Sat, Mar 23
@Â Chicago Bulls
Mon, Mar 25
vs Atlanta Hawks
Wed, Mar 27
@Â Houston Rockets
Thu, Mar 28
@Â Dallas Mavericks
Sat, Mar 30
@Â Phoenix Suns
April
Mon, Apr 1
@Â Los Angeles Clippers
Fri, Apr 5
vs Oklahoma City Thunder
Sat, Apr 6
@Â Washington Wizards
Tue, Apr 9
vs Cleveland Cavaliers
Fri, Apr 12
vs Brooklyn Nets
Sun, Apr 14
@Â NY Knicks
Tue, Apr 16
@Â Boston Celtics
Wed, Apr 17
vs Philadelphia 76ers
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