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2008 Indiana Pacers Predictions & Season Preview

The Indiana Pacers will have almost a completely new team and they are searching for a new identity. Last season Pacer fans avoided Conseco Fieldhouse in droves, despite the fact that the Pacers made a late surge at the No. 8 seed in the playoffs. Since the incident in Detroit where players were brawling with fans, the Pacers have been stigmatized, but with seven new players Larry Bird and the Pacers may finally start making a culture change. Keep reading to find out just how different things will be for the Indiana Pacers. Check out BetUS where the Pacers are +2000 odds to win the Central Division and +5000 to win the Eastern Conference championship.

The Pacers acquired two legitimate point guards this season in T.J. Ford and Jarrett Jack. The Pacers relied on Jamaal Tinsley for the last four years, but he could not stay healthy and they said enough is enough. T.J. Ford has been to the playoffs four times in four NBA seasons and averaged 14.0 points and 7.9 assists for Toronto in 2006-2007 before losing his starting sport to Jose Calderon. Ford has been injured several times in his career, including missing 31 games last season due to a flagrant foul by Al Horford. Jarrett Jack was a fulltime starter in Portland two years ago averaging 12.0 points and 5.3 assists. Jack has shot 44.3% in his career, but he needs to cut down on his mistakes.

Mike Dunleavy averaged 19.1 points last season and shot 47% from the field. It may have taken a few years, but Dunleavy finally arrived as a high-caliber NBA player. Rookie Brandon Rush will backup Dunleavy. Rush averaged 13.3 points for national champion Kansas last season. Rush shot 44% from 3-point range in college, and one knock on him is he never averaged more than 13.8 points. Rush was on very talented Kansas teams, and never needed to carry the bulk of the scoring load however as that Kansas class will be well represented in the NBA.

Danny Granger was taken 17th in the NBA Draft in 2005 and after just 3 seasons became the Pacers’ leading scorer at 19.6 points per game. Granger has made the transition from a spot-up shooter and opportunistic rebound to some who can make plays and look for his shot. Stephen Graham will come in when Dunleavy, who averaged 36.0 minutes last season, needs a breather. Graham played in just 22 games last season, but the Pacers picked up his contract.

Troy Murphy improved in his second season in Indiana, but he still didn’t come close to averaging a double-double, which he did three times in Golden State. Murphy should get to spend more time at power forward instead of center this season, which should improve his game. Josh McRoberts is from Carmel H.S. and should come off the bench to relieve Murphy. He spent most of his rookie season in the D-league.

Jeff Foster will start at center. He is one of the league’s most efficient rebounders. He led the NBA in offensive boards per 48 minutes last season. Rasho Nesterovic, a 7-0 veteran picked up from Toronto will add size in the post. Nesterovic played well late last season for the Raptors and will knock down most mid-range jumpers if teams leave him open. He averaged 14.4 points last March and April.

Final Analysis

In changing the culture in Indiana, the Pacers will probably have to take a step back before they move forward. The team was one of the top offensive teams last season, but played horrendous defense. This season, the Pacers will play better defense, and still have some offensive punch, but overall it will take some time for the on-court chemistry to gel. Once everyone gets on the same page, this team should be better, and it should bring the fans back, but with the other teams in the conference getting better, it will be a tough time to have seven new faces. With our NBA predictions we have the Pacers finishing 4th in the Central Division and missing the playoffs. BetUS has Indiana at +12500 odds to win the NBA Title this season.

Get ready for a season of beating the NBA lines with the help of our handicappers. Their NBA picks are the best in the business and will make you a winner this season with your NBA betting.

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