Since the regular season entered March, the East has been in a panic.

The Pacers have basically settled for the top spot in the league during the regular season, and their current 55-6 record is simply unmatched.

You know, the Boston Celtics, who are now ranked second in the East, have a record of only 38 wins and 22 losses. The gap between first and second is so big enough to show how terrifying the Pacers' dominance was during the regular season.

In fact, let alone the Celtics. Even the Warriors, who won one game after another in the regular season, have a 50-10 record.

A 50-10 record is terrible, but compared to the Pacers' 55-6, it seems to be a little less interesting.

In the case that the Pacers have determined the first spot in the East, the two positions of fourth and fifth in the East have undoubtedly become a "hot potato", and no one wants to take over.

Because, if they finish fourth and fifth in the East, it means that they will meet the Pacers in the second round early. This panic has some Eastern Conference teams suddenly starting to fight as they all want to finish in the top three in the East in order to avoid the Pacers.

While other Eastern Conference teams are starting to lose some inexplicable goals because they are a little too high in the rankings. If you can fall to seventh or sixth in the East, you can also avoid an early encounter with the Pacers.

It's the first time in the East that it's been so tense in the regular season to avoid a team since Jordan's Bulls dynasty ended.

In the midst of this chaotic situation, Henson finally had the final game of the regular season of his first season after his return.

On April 12, at North Shore Gardens, Henson and Stevens players were running on the pitch.

At this time, Isaiah. Thomas is driving to the basket. Although he is only 1.75 meters tall, Thomas uses the small jump hooks on both sides very easily after breaking through. Jumping hooks for layups can indeed avoid blocks to the greatest extent.

So, with the help of Lopez, Thomas Jr. still scored the ball. With that goal, the Celtics have a 10-point lead over the Pacers. But Henson sat comfortably on the bench, unconcerned.

Win or lose this game, he doesn't care anymore. Because the Pacers have long established the first spot in the league, they have long lost the possibility of winning 70 wins. So Henson has no desire for the regular season right now.

"Beautiful layup, before this season, absolutely no one believed that a player with a height of only 1.75 meters could actually enter the top five of the MVP list! There's no doubt that Thomas Jr. will be one of the greatest small players in NBA history. ”

"Compared to Isaiah. Thomas, I think Coach Henson and Coach Stevens are even more amazing. Their teams are ranked first and second in the East this season. And a few years ago, they even worked together. Coaches who came out of one system divided the top two spots in the division, and I think it would be difficult for even a Spurs coach to achieve such an achievement. ”

The two commentators were chatting energetically, but the game had already entered garbage time early.

Although there was still a quarter and a half before the end of the game, Henson and Stevens were very tacit in their substitutions.

As of now, the Pacers have a 68-13 record. Win or lose, they've beaten the Warriors with 67 wins to become the league's No. 1 player.

The Celtics, on the other hand, have a 52-29 record, and facing the Cavaliers with only 50 wins, the Celtics are still second in the East even if they lose. What's more, they still have a good chance of winning this game.

So, the outcome of this game doesn't actually mean much. Last night, Henson and Stevens said that this game should be used as a practice, and no one should be serious, facing both defeats.

Seeing that the head coaches of both sides replaced all the main players, Van Gundy and Webber on the commentary stage also expanded the conversation from this game to the playoffs.

"Actually, the stats of the Pacers players this season are not too impressive." Webb brought up a topic that caught Van Gundy's attention.

"The top three players in scoring this season are Harden, Thomas Jr. and Westbrook. Among the top three players in the assist list, there is no Chris. Paul's name. The top three rebounders are unlikely to have Pacers players. After all, Henson doesn't have rebounding monsters like Jordan Jr., Drummond and Whiteside. ”

Weber, who was wearing glasses, paused, as if to take a breath, and then continued, "The only one on the Pacers to finish in the top three is Paul. He's the league's steal leader this season, and other than that, the rest of the Pacers don't have any individual stats that rank in the top three. ”

"That's why you're saying that the Pacers' players aren't really explosive enough in their personal data?" Van Gundy asked with a smile.

"Yes, but it just shows how balanced the Pacers are right now. They are not known for their individual heroism, but they are always able to win the game with the strength of the whole. With only one player in the top three of the personal data rankings, he still has 68 wins. I guess in the East, even the Clevelands have a hard time playing with them. ”

"yes, the Pacers are very integral." Jeff. Van Gundy nodded in agreement, "Although the Pacers players are not scoring champions and rebounding champions, I can just name a bunch of good players on the Pacers." George, Paul, Antetokounmpo, Oladipo, Siakam, Bogdanovic ...... There is no other team in the league with as much depth as they have. ”

"So, the Pacers really have only one opponent this season." Webber smiled, and although he didn't say which team it was, everyone knew it.

Pacers VS Warriors, fans' expectations for this matchup have been getting higher and higher.

Chat time always passed quickly, and after a while, the final game of the regular season between the Pacers and the Celtics finally came to an end. 106-100, the Celtics crushed the Pacers at North Shore Garden to finish second in the East with a 53-win record.

This means that neither the Celtics nor the Cavaliers will meet the Pacers in advance. And the poor Raptors and Wizards will have to face the Pacers' power in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

After the game, Stevens and Henson hugged warmly. At the beginning, Henson would never have imagined that he and his assistant coach would be able to occupy the top two positions in the East. What's even more incredible is that both coaches came out of Indianapolis.

"Congratulations, I won the first place in the league in the first year I came back. Sure enough, you shouldn't have retired in the first place, Henson. ”

"It's just the first place in the regular season, and this season won't be a success until we win the championship." Henson also looked in a good mood, even if his team lost today.

"Then I can't congratulate you, because we're also aiming for the championship." Stevens smiled.

Henson didn't think Stevens was bragging, and a coach who could use a player like Thomas Jr. as an MVP-level point guard who averaged 29.1 points per game was not a vegetarian.

"Hopefully, in the Eastern Conference Finals, we'll meet, Brad. But you must hold on, don't miss the appointment. ”

Henson knows that Stevens' Celtics and James' Cavaliers are destined to meet early in the Eastern Conference semifinals. The winner of both teams advances to the Eastern Conference Finals.

So, he solemnly patted Stevens on the shoulder. Playing James in the Eastern Conference Finals every year, Henson is a little tired of it. It would be great to think about it if you could have a pinnacle showdown with Stevens.

After the game, Henson returned to the locker room. The players also seem to be very excited about the upcoming playoffs. Henson didn't even have to say anything, their morale was already very high.

Yes, although the Pacers have no scoring champion or rebounding champion, they have Paul who is determined to become, George who is all-round in scoring means, Antetokounmpo who is against the times, Oladipo who is full of momentum, Brogdon who is steady, Bogdanovic who shoots accurately, Siakam who is full of potential, Lopez who is experienced and Channing. Fry......

Whether a team is strong or not is not judged by the individual data of the players.

Henson clenched his fists, and when the next game started, he would be stepping into the playoffs for the first time in two years!

Fierce collisions, shrill shouts, referees' whistles and shouts from both managers...... Just thinking about this scene, Henson felt his blood boiling.

After preparing for the season, it's time to harvest.

Golden State Warriors, but don't think you're stable......