The Indiana Pacers clinch a playoff spot with a 102-83 victory over Cleveland - WLFI.com

Updated: Friday, 13 Apr 2012, 10:14 PM EDT
Published : Friday, 13 Apr 2012, 10:14 PM EDT

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WLFI) - The Indiana Pacers have clinched a spot in this years NBA playoffs with their 102-83 home victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Danny Granger led the way for the blue and gold with a game high 18 points.

The next step for the Pacers is to secure home court in the first round of the playoffs, something they haven’t had since the 2003-04 season when they were considered a contender in the Eastern Conference.

“We haven’t accomplished anything yet. I sent our guys into the lockout thinking that they could earn a 1 seed. Obviously, we are not there yet and we have some more work to do,” said Pacers head coach Frank Vogel.

Tyler Hansbrough scored 16 points, George Hill had 15 and seven assists, Leandro Barbosa scored 13 points and Roy Hibbert added 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Pacers, who have won seven of eight. The Pacers have won all three games Hill has started at point guard while Darren Collison has recovered from a sore groin.

Indiana (37-22) matched its win total from last season. The Pacers are in third place in the Eastern Conference standings.

“Nothing has changed for us, we obviously felt like for a while now that we were going to be in the playoffs and it was just a matter of time. Our mindset hasn’t changed, until we secure home court advantage we cant let up in any way, shape, or form,” said Vogel.

Danny Granger echoed his head coach’s message when he was asked about clinching a playoff spot after tonight’s victory.

“Obviously we are fighting for the seeds, It’s great that we have clinched and that we have taken care of that and now we have to secure our seed and that is our next goal,” said Danny Granger.

Up next for Indiana is a road match-up Saturday night with the Milwaukee Bucks, tip set for 8:30 ET.