Coming into the 2023-24 NBA regular season, some people believe that the Indiana Pacers could make a jump up in the Eastern Conference standings. With an excellent head coach in Rick Carlisle and a good mix of veterans and young players, the Pacers certainly have the pieces in place to make a run.
In the early part of the campaign, the Pacers are surpassing even the highest expectations people had for them. Off to a 6-3 start, Indiana is currently in third place in the Eastern Conference. They have gotten off to a hot start on the back of the most explosive offense in the NBA.
Per StatMuse, the Pacers are atop the NBA in multiple stats. They are first in offensive rating, points per game and assists per game. If those numbers hold up, Indiana will finish with one of the best offensive seasons in league history, as all three numbers are currently top five all-time.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Tyrese Haliburton, Rick Carlisle, Indiana Pacers Updates
That performance on offense has more than made up for a defense that is near the bottom of the NBA, ranking 25th in defensive rating. A major reason for their success has been the continued ascension of point guard, Tyrese Haliburton.
After earning his first All-Star nod last season, Haliburton has continued playing at a high level this season. He is currently averaging 23.6 points on an extremely efficient .504/.400/.943 shooting split. Not only is Haliburton a gifted scorer, but he is also an excellent playmaker, leading the NBA with 11.6 assists per game.
He is one of seven Pacers players currently averaging double-digit points per game, as they are clicking on all cylinders. Indiana is currently second in field goal percentage, fourth in 3-point percentage and eighth in free throw percentage.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Tyrese Haliburton, Rick Carlisle, Indiana Pacers Updates
As long as the Pacers have their conductor in Haliburton healthy and on the court, this offense is going to remain among the best in the NBA. If they want to become true contenders in the Eastern Conference, they are going to have to figure things out on the defensive side of the ball. But, for now, they are playing offense at a level that more than makes up for their defensive shortcomings.
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