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Indiana Pacers · By tipoff on January 8, 2024, the Indiana Pacers had the look of a team poised to exploit the absence of the Boston Celtics’ No. 1 scorer; by halftime, they were no different, losing their own All-Star to a hamstring scare. Inevitably forced to dig deep, the Pacers appropriately turned to a place where their depth had always prevailed: the game's highest-scoring bench. With contributions arriving from seemingly every player clothed in a blue-and-yellow jumpsuit, Indiana used a ferocious 44-point period to set their path for an early-January statement win over the NBA’s best. A missing, much-needed piece during Indiana’s eventual trip to the East Finals, Bennedict Mathurin starred, going through, over, and around Boston’s defense for a team-high 26 points. Following in his lead, Indiana’s reserves fittingly left no reservations in their attack, combining for 75 bench points. Outlasting Boston in a duel that saw 26 lead changes, 15 ties, and whistles through the final second, Indiana exacted revenge for the home-and-home loss just two nights before. Backed by ten different scorers with at least seven points, the well-rounded Pacers rode the confidence-booster to a 47-win year and its most glorious campaign since 2014. · State of Mint