How will the Indiana Pacers perform next season?
They truly overachieved last season, grabbing the third seed in the Eastern Conference and taking the Miami Heat all the way to six games in the second round of the playoffs.
The Pacers are absolutely one of the deepest teams in the Association. Their starting five consists of forwards Danny Granger and David West, center Roy Hibbert and guards Paul George and George Hill.
And the bench includes the likes of Tyler Hansbrough, D.J. Augustin, Ian Mahinmi, Gerald Green and Lance Stephenson.
Hereâs a look at how the 2012-13 season could go for the Blue and Gold.
October/November Schedule
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October 31 @ Toronto Raptors
November 2 @ Charlotte Bobcats
November 3 vs. Sacramento Kings
November 5 @ San Antonio Spurs
November 7 @ Atlanta Hawks
November 9 @ Minnesota Timberwolves
November 10 vs. Washington Wizards
November 13 vs. Toronto Raptors
November 14 @ Milwaukee Bucks
November 16 vs. Dallas Mavericks
November 18 at New York Knicks
November 19 @ Washington Wizards
November 21 vs. New Orleans Hornets
November 23 vs. San Antonio Spurs
November 27 @ Los Angeles Lakers
November 30 @ Sacramento Kings
Key October/November Games
Harry How/Getty Images
November 5 @ San Antonio Spurs
After beginning the season against three teams that arenât expected to make the playoffs, the Pacers face the Spurs, who finished with the top record in the league last season.
Pacers starting point guard George Hill squares off against his former team for the first time this season.
November 16 vs. Dallas Mavericks Â
In this game, Darren Collisonâ"who was traded to Dallas this offseasonâ"returns to Indianapolis for the first time.
Pacer fans also get to see perennial All-Star Dirk Nowitzki make his only visit of the season. Â Â Â Â Â
November 27 @ Los Angeles Lakers
The Pacers head out west to face Kobe Bryant and the Lakers at the famous Staples Center.
Will Indy be able to stop the new âBig Fourâ of  Bryant, Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol and new Laker Steve Nash?
October/November W-L Prediction: 9-7
Wins: Bobcats, Kings, Timberwolves, Wizards (twice), Raptors, Mavericks, Hornets, Spurs
Losses: Raptors, Spurs, Hawks, Bucks, Knicks, Lakers, Kings
Preview and Predictions for October/November
Harry How/Getty Images
Best One-on-One Matchup of October/November
Roy Hibbert vs. Andrew Bynum makes for a great matchup at the center position.
Hibbert was a first-time All-Star last season, while Bynum is perhaps the league's best center not named Dwight Howard.
Pacers' Best-Case Scenario for October/November
In November, the Pacers play the Spurs twice and the Lakers once. It would be ideal for Indy to win at least two of these contests. Â Â Â
Pacers' Worst-Case Scenario for October/November
The Pacers play Toronto, Sacramento and Washington three times each in October/November. It would be a shame to see them lose too many game to these lottery squads.
December Schedule
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December 1 @ Golden State Warriors
December 4 @ Chicago Bulls
December 5 vs. Portland Trail Blazers
December 7 vs. Denver Nuggets
December 9 @ Oklahoma City Thunder
December 12 vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
December 14 vs. Philadelphia 76ers
December 15 @ Detroit Pistons
December 18 @ Milwaukee Bucks
December 19 vs. Utah Jazz
December 21 @ Cleveland Cavaliers
December 22 @ New Orleans Hornets
December 26 vs. Chicago Bulls
December 28 vs. Phoenix Suns
December 29 @ Atlanta Hawks
December 31 vs. Memphis Grizzlies
Key December Games
Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
December 4 @ Chicago Bulls
The Pacers stroll down I-65 to Chicago as they take on the rival Bulls. With Derrick Rose injured, the Pacers should be able to win this one.  Â
December 5 vs. Portland Trail Blazers
Roy Hibbertâ"a restricted free agent this summerâ"signed an offer sheet with Portland before Indiana matched it as expected. This game will see Hibbert play against the team he could've left Nap Town for. Â
December 9 @ Oklahoma City Thunder
Indiana goes up against the Western Conference champion Thunder in what should be an exciting game. This will certainly be a test for the boys from the Hoosier state. Â
December W-L Prediction: 10-6
Wins: Bulls (twice), Blazers, Nuggets, Cavaliers (twice), 76ers, Pistons, Jazz, Suns
Losses: Warriors, Thunder, Bucks, Hornets, Hawks, Grizzlies
Previews and Predictions for December
Photo credit to Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images
Best One-on-One Matchup of December
Indiana vs. OKC features a nice small forward matchup between Danny Granger and Kevin Durant. Granger can shoot the lights out, while Durant is arguably the best scorer in the game today.
Pacers' Best-Case Scenario for  December
If the Pacers can find a way to knock off the Thunder and beat Chicago twice, December could prove to be a nice month. Actually, just beating OKC would make it a nice month.Â
Pacers' Worst-Case Scenario for December
Losing both games against Cleveland and another one against Detroit would be miserable for Indiana. The Pacers have to beat the weaker teams in the league. Â
January Schedule
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January 2 vs. Washington Wizards
January 4 @ Boston Celtics
January 5 vs. Milwaukee Bucks
January 8 vs. Miami Heat
January 10 vs. New York Knicks
January 12 vs. Charlotte Bobcats
January 13 @ Brooklyn Nets
January 15 @ Charlotte Bobcats
January 16 @ Orlando Magic
January 18 vs. Houston Rockets
January 21 @ Memphis Grizzlies
January 23 @ Portland Trail Blazers
January 26 @ Utah Jazz
January 28 @ Denver Nuggets
January 30 vs. Detroit Pistons
Key January Games
Photo credit to courierpress.com
January 4 @ Boston Celtics
The Pacers' second game of 2013 comes against the Celtics, a team that's expected to be a title contender next season.
Both clubs will likely battle for the second-best record in the East behind Miami.
January 8 vs. Miami Heat
Speaking of Miami, the Pacers battle against LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Co. four days after facing a tough Celtics squad. The Pacers will look to get a little revenge in their first contest versus the Heat since the playoffs. Â
January 16 @ Orlando Magic
Indiana squares off against the Magic, the team that it knocked off in the first round of the 2012 postseason.
Will Dwight Howard still be in Orlando for this game?
January W-L Prediction: 10-5
Wins: Wizards, Bucks, Heat, Knicks, Bobcats (twice), Rockets, Jazz, Nuggets, Pistons
Losses: Celtics, Nets, Magic, Grizzlies, Trail Blazers
Previews and Predictions for January
Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
Best One-on-One Matchup of January
Danny Granger tried hard to get into the head of LeBron James during the playoffs. Now, these two small forwards match up for the first time this season. Â
Pacers' Best-Case Scenario for January
The best-case scenario for Indy would be beating both Boston and Miami, arguably the East's two best teams. It can be done, but it won't be easy.
Pacers' Worst-Case Scenario for January
Losing to the lowly Bobcats twice in one month would be a nightmare. The Pacers would never be able to live that downâ"that's for sure.
February Schedule
Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
February 1 vs. Miami Heat
February 5 vs. Atlanta Hawks
February 6 @ Philadelphia 76ers
February 8 vs. Toronto Raptors
February 11 vs. Brooklyn Nets
February 13 vs. Charlotte Bobcats
February 20 vs. New York Knicks
February 22 vs. Detroit Pistons
February 23 @ Detroit Pistons
February 26 vs. Golden State Warriors
February 28 vs. Los Angeles Clippers
Key February Games
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February 1 vs. Miami Heat
This will be Round 2 for the Pacers vs. Heat. Can Indiana get a W in this huge home game?
February 11 vs. Brooklyn Nets
Deron Williams leads his team into Indianapolis to take on Roy Hibbert's crew. You never know, Dwight Howard just might appear in this game as a Net. Â
February 28 vs. Los Angeles Clippers
Indy sports fans get to see the high-flying Blake Griffin for his only trip to Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Fans will also get  the chance to see one of the league's best point guards in Chris Paul.
February W-L Prediction: 10-1
Wins: Heat, Hawks, Sixers, Raptors, Nets, Bobcats, Knicks, Pistons, Pistons, Warriors
Losses: Clippers
Previews and Predictions for February
Elsa/Getty Images
Best One-on-One Matchup of February
When the Pacers face Detroit in back-to-back games, Roy Hibbert will battle rookie big man Andre Drummond. The former UConn Husky should have his hands full trying to check Hibbert. Â Â
Pacers' Best-Case Scenario for February
Beating both the Heat and the Clippers would certainly make the Pacers resemble an elite NBA team. It would be difficult pulling off such a feat, though.
Pacers' Worst-Case Scenario for February
Falling to the Pistons in consecutive nights would be a bummer. Years ago, this was a heated rivalry, but not so much anymore. Â
March Schedule
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March 1 @ Toronto Raptors
March 3 vs. Chicago Bulls
March 6 vs. Boston Celtics
March 8 @ Orlando Magic
March 10 @ Miami Heat
March 13 vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
March 15 vs. Los Angeles Lakers
March 16 @ Philadelphia 76ers
March 18 @ Cleveland Cavaliers
March 19 vs. Orlando Magic
March 22 vs. Milwaukee Bucks
March 23 @ Chicago Bulls
March 25 vs. Atlanta Hawks
March 27 @ Houston Rockets
March 28 @ Dallas Mavericks
March 30 @ Phoenix Suns
Key March Games
Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images
March 10 @ Miami Heat
After playing at home twice versus Miami, the Pacers fly down to South Beach for this one. All eyes will be on this new Eastern Conference rivalry. Â
March 15 vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis will be packed full of fans wanting to see the Lakers' Hall of Fame backcourt of Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash. Don't be surprised to see the Pacers pick up the victory.
March 23 @ Chicago Bulls
Pacers vs. Bulls is "must-see" TV in the Midwest. Hopefully, Derrick Rose will be off the injured list in time for this contest.
March W-L Prediction: 7-9
Wins: Raptors, Timberwolves, Lakers, Magic, Hawks, Rockets, Mavericks
Losses: Bulls (twice), Celtics, Magic, Heat, Sixers, Cavaliers, Bucks, Suns
Previews and Predictions for March
Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
Best One-on-One Matchup of March
Roy Hibbert vs. Dwight Howard could've been placed here, but Tyler Hansbrough vs. Antawn Jamison (Lakers) is worth watching as well.
The two North Carolina legends should both prove to be valuable role players off the bench for their respective teams. Â
Pacers' Best-Case Scenario for March
Can the Pacers beat the Heat, Celtics, Lakers and Bulls in the month of March? If so, fans in Indiana will be pumped, no doubt about it.Â
Pacers' Worst-Case Scenario for March
Getting beaten by those four teams would be the worst-case scenario. Losing to teams like the Cavaliers and the Suns wouldn't be too great, either. Â
April Schedule
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April 1 @ Los Angeles Clippers
April 5 vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
April 6 @ Washington Wizards
April 9 vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
April 12 vs. Brooklyn Nets
April 14 @ New York Knicks
April 16 @ Boston Celtics
April 19 vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Key April Games
Elsa/Getty Images
April 5 vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
OKC won't make its way to Indianapolis until the final month of the regular season. This should be an entertaining contest. Â
April 14 @ New York Knicks
The Pacers will travel to the great Madison Square Garden to take on Carmelo Anthony, Amar'e Stoudemire and the Knickerbockers. This could end up being a battle between two of the East's top four teams.Â
April 16 @ Boston Celtics
The deep and talented Pacers will appear on TNT as they head to Beantown to face the Celtics. It will be just the second time this season that they'll be seen on the network.Â
April W-L Prediction: 7-1
Wins: Celtics
Losses: Clippers, Thunder, Wizards, Cavaliers, Nets, Knicks, Sixers
Previews and Predictions for April
Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images
Best One-on-One Matchup of April
April's best matchup involves forwards Danny Granger and Carmelo Anthony. Both guys are the top scoring options for their respective clubs.
Pacers' Best-Case Scenario for April
Five of the Pacers' eight opponents on the April schedule reached the playoffs last season. Having a winning record in the month would be huge. Â
Pacers' Worst-Case Scenario for AprilÂ
Losing to Cleveland and Washingtonâ"two teams that likely won't make the playoffsâ"would be the worst-case scenario. That just wouldn't be acceptable. Â
Final Analysis
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Final Record: 53-29
Expect the Pacers to finish with the third-best record in the Eastern Conference behind the reigning champion Miami Heat and the re-tooled Boston Celtics.
It would be the first time Indiana has reached the 50-win mark since 2003-04, back when Reggie Miller was still in town.
Roy Hibbert makes his second consecutive trip to the All-Star game, and Danny Granger receives the honor for the second time in his career.
Meanwhile, Tyler Hansbrough is named the league's Sixth Man of the Year, edging Oklahoma City's James Harden and Boston's Jason Terry.Â
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