Page 16 - Demo

Friday, April 4, 2025B Sectionindianapolisrecorder.comBy NORAL PARHAMnoralp@indyrecorder.comIf the 2025 NBA playoffs began March 31, the Indiana Pacers would secure the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference, setting up a first-round showdown with the fifth-seeded Detroit Pistons.The Pacers, led by point guard Tyrese Haliburton, have a record of 43-31 and maintain a slim lead over the Pistons (42-33) in a tightly contested middle of the conference standings.The Pacers%u2019 current standing reflects a resilient season, though they trail the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers (60-15) by 16.5 games. Their .581 winning percentage places them firmly in the playoff picture. However, their path won%u2019t be straightforward. A first-round series against the Pistons would pit Indiana against a familiar divisional foe, adding intensity to the matchup.The Pistons, only one game behind Indiana, boast a 27-21 conference record compared to Indiana%u2019s 25-21 mark.Additionally, Detroit holds a slight edge in home performance (21-16 vs. Indiana%u2019s 24-11), while the Pacers struggle on the road (19-20). The Pacers%u2019 recent form (7-3 in their last 10 games) suggests momentum, but the Pistons are no slouch. Detroit%u2019s balanced roster, led by combo guard Cade Cunningham, and strong conference record make them a tough foe. Indiana%u2019s ability to defend home court %u2014 where they%u2019ve won 24 games %u2014 will be critical. If the Pacers falter in Games 1 or 2, their road struggles could haunt them.Defensively, the Pacers must contain Detroit%u2019s backcourt while leveraging their offensive firepower.Even if the Pacers survive the first round, the road gets more demanding. A likely second-round matchup against the Cavaliers %u2014 who dominate the East with a .800 winning percentage %u2014 would be daunting. Cleveland%u2019s 38-9 conference record and 32-5 home dominance make them heavy favorites to reach the NBA Finals.The Pacers last reached the Eastern Conference Finals in 2024, and while this year%u2019s team has shown promise, overcoming Cleveland or even the second-seeded Boston Celtics (55-19) would require near-perfect execution. Boston, helmed by forwards Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, has won eight straight and boasts the league%u2019s best recent form (9-1 in their last 10).With eight games remaining, the Pacers could still shift their playoff seeding. A late surge might overtake the New York Knicks (47-27) for the No. 3 spot, while a slump could drop them into a play-in scenario. Avoiding the play-in tournament remains a priority, as the No. 4 seed guarantees a direct playoff berth.Injuries, rest strategies and tiebreakers will also play a role. The Pacers must balance health and competitiveness to enter the playoffs at full strength.The Pacers are playoff-bound, but their ceiling remains uncertain. A first-round victory is plausible, but advancing beyond the second round would require a near-perfect game plan. For now, Indiana fans can relish a return to postseason basketball %u2014 hoping that this year%u2019s team can exceed expectations.Contact Multi-Media & Senior Sports Reporter Noral Parham at 317-762-7846. Follow him on X @3Noral.By NORAL PARHAMnoralp@indyrecorder.comNo. 4 Purdue lost 62-60 to No. 1 Houston in the NCAA Men%u2019s Basketball Tournament on March 28 in downtown Indianapolis. However, the overwhelming cheers in Lucas Oil Stadium, stuffed to the brim with black and old gold, tell a different story.Purdue head coach Matt Painter%u2019s pregame warning proved prophetic. %u201cHouston is an elite defensive team,%u201d Painter said. But his homegrown core refused to back down.Westfield%u2019s Braden Smith (7 points, 15 assists, three rebounds) orchestrated the offense despite constant double-teams. %u201cWe knew they%u2019d pressure me all night,%u201d Smith said. %u201cMy job was to get the ball to Trey (Kaufman-Renn) or our shooters. They made plays.%u201d Smith%u2019s 15 assists tied Houston%u2019s team total, a testament to his poise.Sellersburg%u2019s Trey Kaufman-Renn (14 points, five rebounds) battled Houston%u2019s physical frontcourt, embodying the toughness Painter praised.%u201cThey%u2019re the No. 1 defense for a reason,%u201d Kaufman-Renn said. %u201cYou gotta play through contact. No excuses.%u201d The junior%u2019s 4-of-5 free-throw shooting kept Purdue within striking distance late.Fort Wayne%u2019s Fletcher Loyer (Blackhawk Christian School) led all Purdue scorers with 16 points, including two critical second-half threes. %u201cThey were physical, but we expected that,%u201d Loyer said. His back-to-back jumpers erased a 10-point Houston lead, igniting the crowd.Purdue%u2019s rally fell short after a defensive miscommunication in the final moments. %u201cWe knew they%u2019d go to (LJ) Cryer in the corner,%u201d Smith said. %u201cJust one breakdown.%u201dHouston%u2019s Milos Uzan (22 points, 6-of-9 from three) capitalized, sealing the win with a dagger jump shot.The loss ended the career of Fort Wayne%u2019s Caleb Furst (0 points, two rebounds), a two-time Academic AllBig Ten honoree. Painter emphasized pregame that Purdue%u2019s culture values degrees as much as dunks: %u201cWhen guys don%u2019t play much, you gotta think about transferring and not getting a Purdue degree.%u201dPainter%u2019s postgame tone blended pride with resolve.%u201cOur guys emptied their tanks,%u201d Painter said. %u201cWe%u2019re close to being that elite team again.%u201d Purdue%u2019s rebounding edge (+4) and bench scoring (16-10) underscored their depth, but Houston%u2019s 20 second-chance points %u2014 double Purdue%u2019s output %u2014 proved decisive.As the Cougars (33-4) advance, Painter%u2019s pregame words lingered: %u201cThey%u2019re a big challenge,%u201d and they were. However, for 40 minutes, Indiana%u2019s finest made sure Houston felt every bit of it.Contact Multi-Media & Senior Sports Reporter Noral Parham at 317-762-7846. Follow him on X @3Noral. Pacers poised for NBA PlayoffsFriday, April 4, 2025Indy natives lead Purdue despite 62-60 loss to Houston.Crispus Attucks reaches 3A championship gameLos Angeles Laker forward LeBron James (23) and Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (42) on March 26,2025 at Gainbridge Fielldhouse. (Photo/Walt Thomas) Purdue Universityl players Caleb Furst and Fletcher Loyer (2), both Indiana natives, during the NCAA Tournament, held on March 28, 2025. (Photo/Walt Thomas)Crispus Attucks High School made it all the way to the 3A state championship game, held on March 29, 2025, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, in downtown indianapolis Indiana. Crispus Attucks would go on to lose to Saint Joesph%u2019s in the 3A championship contest 56-52. (Photos/David Dixon)