Indiana Pacers Reveal Expectations Heading Into Conference Semifinals

The Indiana Pacers, despite dramatic finishes and theatrics galore, beat the Milwaukee Bucks in five games to advance to the second round. There, they will take on the Cleveland Cavaliers, who swept the Miami Heat.

Despite boasting a 3-1 season series lead over the Cavs, the Pacers will enter the series as big underdogs, and the team knows they will have their hands full on both ends of the floor.

Luckily, with other series seemingly poised to go the distance to seven games, Indiana will have plenty of time to rest. 

"We know the next challenge is going to be very daunting as well, but we've got a couple of days here," said Rick Carlisle. 

"It wasn't pretty, but we'll take it and celebrate this one for the night," added Tyrese Haliburton. "Gotta get ready for Cleveland."

The Cavs dominated Miami in the first round, winning by a combined 122 points, handing the Heat their two biggest postseason losses in franchise history.

Going up against Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley and three All-Stars on the roster, the Pacers will have their hands full, although they boast the depth to make a victory possible.

"I think they were the second-best team in the league this year," said TJ McConnell. "The way they played against Miami, it's going to take focus, energy, commitment on both sides of the ball for 48 minutes. We have to be extremely locked in."

Game 1 will be on Sunday, May 4, at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland. 

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