The post Why The Indiana Pacers Run To The NBA Finals Is Unlike Any Other appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com.

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MAY 27: Andrew Nembhard #2 of the Indiana Pacers reacts after a three point … More shot during the second quarter in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 27, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) Getty Images One of the stats I’ve been keeping tabs on throughout this postseason is role player 3-point shooting. The reason for this is that, in the playoffs, defenses tend to focus on their opponent’s best players and dare the other players on the court (i.e., the role players) to beat them from beyond the 3-point line. If one team’s role players shoot much better than they did in the regular season, it can cause them to outperform expectations, and vice versa if they shoot much worse than what they usually do. With this in mind, this postseason, there has been one team that is benefitting from this boost more than practically any “underdog” in the 3-point era. The Indiana Pacers’ Role Players Are Historically Red-Hot This postseason, the Indiana Pacers are leading the tournament in role player 3-point shooting percentage (41.3%). They also have the highest difference between their regular season and postseason 3-point percentage (+5.3%). For those wondering, here is a full chart of all those numbers. Anyway, looking at these numbers, it makes sense that a team that finished with just the fourth-best record in the Eastern Conference was able to defy the odds and be the last team standing on that side of the bracket. Their complimentary guys are hitting their “dare shots” more often than any other team…

---

Filed under: News - @ June 3, 2025 9:29 pm