Defense optional for NBA's most exciting team

The Indiana Pacers are riding offensive firepower to become contenders in the East

In-Season Tournament East Group A Champions. Hang the banner.

Tuesday evening in Atlanta the Pacers clinched a spot in the knockout round of the inaugural NBA Cup. If you’re a fan of defense then I hope you didn’t watch.

The Pacers and Hawks hit the largest over/under in an NBA game since 1995 with 7 minutes left in the fourth quarter. It was a beautiful display of soft defenses and no one on either team being able to miss a shot.

For the Pacers, Tyrese Haliburton continues to play like a superstar. He finished with 37 points, 16 assists and 9/15 from three and his dominant third quarter sparked a big comeback win.

Seven Pacers finished with 10+ points and the balanced attack continues to impress. Buddy Hield and Obi Toppin allow the floor to be spread and it seems as if everyone is willing to make that one extra pass on any given possession to find a wide open shot.

The Pacers 3-0 record in In-Season Tournament group play provides a lot to get excited about. The three wins have come against stiff competition (vs. Cleveland, at Philly and at Atlanta).

This young, talented Pacers team will give the rest of the teams in Vegas a run for their money in a few weeks. Hopefully the tournament play will be a nice precursor for the real playoffs.

The wins are fun and the Pacers are proving to be a contender not just for the NBA Cup but come April/May as well. But the defense does pose a serious concern for this team.

If they’re not scoring, they’re getting pummeled. We’ve seen it against Boston a few weeks ago and a few nights ago against Orlando. Last night the Hawks set a franchise record for most points scored in a half with 86.

The defense is something to be wary of. But not today. Keep scoring. Keep winning. This is fun.