2022-23 NBA Preview: Indiana Pacers
After trading All-Star forward Domontas Sabonis and wing Caris LeVert last season, the Indiana Pacers officially entered rebuild mode. Indiana finished the season 25-57, the fifth-worst record in the NBA.
Entering the 2022-23 season, the Pacers have hope. They have built a promising backcourt with talented playmaking guards. Plus, Indiana has fearsome shot blockers defending the paint. The Pacers will need new contributors to step up to finish with a better record. While Indiana may not be a playoff team, seeing the young core’s progress will be exciting to watch.
Let’s check the latest NBA picks, stats, injury reports, and NBA predictions. We’ve plenty of NBA expert picks for you to consider.
Indiana Pacers Odds
- To win the NBA championship +100000
- To win Eastern Conference +50000
- To win Central Division +25000
- To make playoffs Yes +2000/ No -10000
Player to Watch
Guard Tyrese Haliburton is easily the Indiana Pacers’ best player. Before being traded to the Indiana Pacers, Haliburton primarily played an off-ball scoring role with the Sacramento Kings. Now, he shifts to a playmaking role as Indiana’s point guard.
Sick dime Tyrese Haliburton 🤧
(via @NBA) pic.twitter.com/y4Vc0fj8vp— Overtime (@overtime) October 6, 2022
In 26 games with the Pacers, Haliburton averaged 17.5 points and 9.6 assists while shooting 50.2% from the field and 41.6% on 3-pointers. For comparison, the former Iowa State Cyclone’s assist total jumped from 7.4 to 9.6 once traded. NBA lines list Haliburton as the third choice (+350) to lead the NBA in assists.
The 2022-23 season could be an All-Star caliber year for Haliburton. He will constantly have the ball in his hands, which means more field goal attempts and potential assists. Indiana needs an alpha dog to emerge on a rebuilding roster. Haliburton can do just that.
Player to Watch: Guard Tyrese Haliburton
Breakout Player
As mentioned, the Indiana Pacers have put together a promising backcourt. The No. 6 pick of the 2022 NBA Draft, Bennedict Mathurin, has sky-high potential at shooting guard. Indiana is itching to see its highly-touted rookie in action, hoping he pairs well with point guard Haliburton.
Mathurin is averaging 17 points in two preseason games while shooting 48% from the field. His 19-point performance in 18 minutes against the New York Knicks was particularly impressive. At 6-foot-6 with a 6-foot-9 wingspan, Mathurin is a lengthy wing with the ability to create his own shot. Plus, he is uber-athletic and electric in the open court. Per NBA odds, Mathurin is the fifth choice (+1000) to win Rookie of the Year.
Breakout Watch: Guard Bennedict Mathurin
Pacers Outlook
Haliburton, Mathurin, Chris Duarte, and Aaron Nesmith form an encouraging backcourt. Plus, Buddy Hield adds versatility as a knockdown shooter that can play shooting guard or small forward. The Pacers will lack scoring in the frontcourt with Jalen Smith, Isaiah Jackson, and Myles Turner, but this unit holds a lot of defensive potential. Indiana will play an intriguing lineup with plenty of length, including 6-foot-5 point guard Haliburton, 6-foot-10 power forward Smith, and 6-foot-11 center Turner.
Ultimately, the Pacers are a rebuilding team. In a stacked Eastern Conference, it is quite unlikely Indiana will come close to making the NBA Play-In Tournament. Instead, the Pacers could be in the Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes, who is a generational talent for the 2023 NBA Draft. This season, Indiana’s focus will be on the development of young players.
