Indiana Pacers
2017-18 record: 48-34
2017-18 season series: 2-1, Pacers
2018-19 advantage: Sixers
The Pacers will again be competing for a top-five seed this season. Victor Oladipo made the leap to stardom last season, emerging as one of the NBA’s best two-guards. Now Tyreke Evans will join him in the backcourt, which might be the summer’s most underrated signing.
In addition to a potential Sixth Man of the Year winner, the Pacers will have the benefit of Myles Turner in a contract year. The center went to work this summer, looking to build on his offensive repertoire and become more versatile on defense.
Thaddeus Young and Bojan Bogdanovic are quality defenders, while Domantas Sabonis and Evans will anchor a strong second unit. The Pacers will be perpetually underrated due to their market size, but expect them to compete with Philly all season.
In the end, however, the Sixers hold the edge. With Embiid at the helm, the Sixers have a more dynamic offense with fewer glaring weaknesses (assuming Fultz is back to form). The overall talent advantage just favors Brett Brown’s squad.