The Indiana Pacers have been the most exciting team to watch in the league this season, and it hasn’t even been close.
Win or lose, Rick Carlisle’s team will always put on a show and get everybody on their feet.
They’re everything modern basketball strives for, and they look like Mike D’Antoni’s dream right now.
As shown by Ball Don’t Lie, the Pacers currently hold the highest offensive average in NBA history, with 127.4 points per game.
The only issue with those numbers is that they’re not very good on the defensive end of the floor, as they also allow plenty of points on the other end of the court.
The Pacers have been scoring at an UNPRECEDENTED rate this season 🤯 pic.twitter.com/y1MAhYx9fW
— Ball Don’t Lie (@Balldontlie) December 19, 2023
The Pacers are looking to replicate what D’Antoni’s Phoenix Suns did.
They don’t want the opponent’s defenses to get settled, and all it takes is a couple of seconds and a couple of dribbles before going coast to coast and attempting a shot.
Carlisle’s team also features plenty of three-point shooting, and Tyrese Haliburton has had plenty to do with their success.
He’s posting Stephen Curry-caliber numbers in terms of volume shooting and efficiency, all while posting Steve Nash-caliber numbers in assists to pull the strings of this historically proficient offense.
The young guard is breaking out as one of the most explosive players in the league, and he’s become must-watch television.
This Pacers team still needs a couple of pieces to go toe-to-toe with other contenders.
Still, they proved in the In-Season Tournament that they shouldn’t be overlooked.
NEXT: Pacers Veteran Reportedly Drawing Interest From Playoff Teams