The Indiana Pacers are gearing up to face the Los Angeles Lakers in the championship match of the first-ever NBA In-Season Tournament, slated on Saturday, December 9, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The highly-anticipated game will be aired on ABC and ESPN2, and fans can also catch the action via the FuboTV streaming platform. The tip-off is set for 8:30 P.M. ET/5:30 P.M. PT.
As for their regular-season performances, the Pacers hold the sixth spot in the Eastern Conference with a decent 12-8 record. Meanwhile, the Lakers have the fourth position in the competitive Western Conference, boasting a 14-9 record.
In the tournament, the Pacers showcased their prowess by emerging as the leaders in East Group A, going unbeaten and securing victories against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Philadelphia 76ers, Atlanta Hawks, and Detroit Pistons.
Indiana's impressive journey continued with huge victories over elite Eastern Conference teams, getting past the Boston Celtics in the quarterfinals.
They subsequently notched a crucial win over the Milwaukee Bucks in the semifinals, paving the way for their appearance in the championship game.
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3 Reasons Indiana Can Win NBA In-Season Tournament
1. Indiana Pacers have the coaching advantage.
Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle holds a massive advantage in coaching experience over Lakers head coach Darvin Ham.
The 64-year-old embarked on his head coaching career in 2001, securing his first head coaching position with the Detroit Pistons and ultimately winning the NBA championship in 2011 with the Dallas Mavericks.
Currently in his 22nd season on the sidelines, Carlisle's wealth of experience contrasts with Ham's recent entry into head coaching.
The 50-year-old is in his second season as a head coach, and he was appointed to the role by the Lakers in 2022.
2. Tyrese Haliburton is in the form of his life.
Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton is quickly establishing himself as the league's newest superstar, and he is currently in the midst of the most impressive stretch of his young career.
The 23-year-old currently leads the league in assists with 12.1 per contest. Additionally, he ranks third in three-pointers made per game with 3.9.
Over his last two games, Haliburton has scored 53 points and dished out 28 assists, all while maintaining an impressive record of zero turnovers.
3. Indiana Pacers' high-powered offense.
The 2023-24 Pacers are on track to achieve the best offensive rating in NBA history, presently holding the top spot on the all-time chart with an impressive rating of 123.3.
They are leading the league in points per game this season with 128.4, maintaining a notable six-point lead over the next team, the Atlanta Hawks, with an average of 122.7 points.
Despite the offensive prowess of the Pacers, the Lakers counter with a formidable defense, setting up the stage for an exciting battle. The purple-and-gold franchise holds the fifth spot in the league in defensive rating with a solid 110.7.
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