10 Keys for the Indiana Pacers as They Make Their Playoff Push

From the 1989-90 season up until the 2005-06 season, the Indiana Pacers were a model franchise. They made the playoffs in 16 of those 17 seasons, reaching the Eastern Conference Finals five times and the NBA Finals once.

But that period of prosperity was followed by a four-year lull in which the Pacers posted a 139-189 record (.423 winning percentage) and failed to make the playoffs.

Last season, the Pacers slipped into the playoffs as the eighth and final seed in the Eastern Conference before being demolished in five games by the Chicago Bulls.

As the 2011-12 regular season enters its final stretch, the Pacers find themselves in line to make the playoffs and with an opportunity to make some noise once they get there.

Here are 10 keys for the Indiana Pacers to set themselves up for the playoffs and the offseason.

Secure Playoff Positioning

Sitting at 35-22, the Indiana Pacers are currently second in the Central Division and third in the Eastern Conference.

The Pacers have the right pieces to do some damage in the playoffs, but it would benefit them to make sure they get the home-court advantage in the first round.

In order to guarantee that, the Pacers need to finish strong down the stretch.

Beat Inferior Teams

The Pacers have nine games remaining in the regular season. Of those nine games, six are against teams that are unlikely to make the playoffs. The Pacers need to capitalize on those games to help solidify their playoff positioning.

With two games against the Cleveland Cavaliers and one against the Detroit Pistons, the Pacers need to go 3-0 in those contests. Then, with two games against the Milwaukee Bucks—a borderline playoff team—and the Minnesota Timberwolves at home, the Pacers should go 5-1 in their matchups against inferior teams.

Hang Tough with Playoff Teams

Three of the Pacers' nine remaining games are against teams that are currently in line for playoff spots. Two of those games are against the Philadelphia 76ers and one of the games is against the Chicago Bulls.

Those three games will provide the Pacers an opportunity to tune up against playoff-caliber opponents. With the 76ers currently scratching and clawing to hold onto the eighth seed in the playoffs, they're sure to provide an intense matchup. The Pacers can use that to acclimate to the intensity of the playoffs.

Get and Keep Everybody Healthy for the Playoffs

The Pacers are pretty fortunate not to have any significant injuries this late into the season. Their only real injury is a minor one, as Darren Collison is day-to-day with a groin injury.

Getting Collison back healthy—while keeping the rest of the team out of the trainer's room—will help Indiana's chances to succeed in the playoffs.

Keep Up the Defense and Rebounding

The reason the Pacers are currently the third seed in the Eastern Conference is because of their defense and rebounding.

They're currently ninth in points allowed at 94.02 and eighth in field-goal percentage against, with opponents shooting 43.5 percent against them. They're also eighth in rebounds per game (43.25) and rebound differential (plus-1.32).

Defense and rebounding become even more important in the playoffs. By being one of the better teams at both of those aspects, the Pacers are in a good position. But they need to keep it up during the playoffs if they want to advance.

Scout Potential Playoff Opponents

The regular season isn't over yet, so the Pacers don't know exactly who they'll be playing. But it's close enough to the end of the season for teams to be able to narrow their first-round opponents to a couple of different options.

For the Pacers, they're likely to play either the Atlanta Hawks or Orlando Magic in the first round. The Pacers' front office should use the final stretch of the regular season to scout both of those teams.

They can figure out their opponents' strengths, weaknesses and how best to attack them once the playoffs begin.

Prepare for the Draft

The NBA draft is approaching quickly. While the players and coaches will be focused on the rest of the season and the playoffs, the front office should start turning its attention to the offseason.

With the NBA draft being the first real event of the offseason, the front office should begin scouting players and figure out who fits best in Indiana's system.

Do they go with a big man? Should they draft a guard? What about trading picks for a player like they did with the Spurs when they acquired George Hill last year? Those are all questions the front office should be prepared to answer.

Figure out Whether or Not to Keep George Hill

Point guard George Hill will be a restricted free agent at the end of the season. The front office should spend this time figuring out whether or not they want to tender Hill and whether or not they want to match an offer if another team claims him.

Aside from Hill, they need to examine their cap situation and whether or not they think they can get an upgrade by letting Hill walk.

Look into Roy Hibbert's Contract

Hibbert has steadily improved throughout his four-year career. He made his first All-Star team this season and is one of the better centers in the NBA. At 25 years old, he's just now entering his prime.

But Hibbert's a restricted free agent after the season. While it's a foregone conclusion that Indiana will pay the qualifying offer, it's also a foregone conclusion that somebody will try to claim him.

With $21 million in cap space, the Pacers will have enough room in the cap to match any claim put on Hibbert. The front office needs to put a monetary value on Hibbert and figure out if it jibes with Hibbert's value on the open market.

Examine the Free-Agent Market

The Pacers will have $21 million in cap space to work with this offseason. That's plenty of room to make a few nice splashes if that's what they want to do.

Tom Haberstroh of ESPN points out a few options (Insider article) for the Pacers in free agency.

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Gordon (a restricted free agent) makes the most sense here, and that was true ever since he signed his letter of intent to play for the Hoosiers. He'll come at a much cheaper price than this time last year, and deservedly so.

But don't expect the Pacers to stop there. With Paul George willing and able to play both wing positions, Larry Bird will enjoy some flexibility in his offseason. Danny Granger has a fat contract, but they could package him with Darren Collison for an upgrade at point guard. All trades aside, former Clippers Gordon and Chris Kaman would fill out their roster nicely.

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Between deciding whether to re-sign Hibbert and Hill or use that money on free agents, Indiana's front office needs to use this time to figure out what they'll do in free agency.