Dec 6, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo (4) congratulated by guard Joe Young (3) after making the game winning three point basket against the Chicago Bulls late in the fourth quarter at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

The Indiana Pacers started the season quite poorly but, recently, we have seen them turn around their form and charge up the table. Coach Nate McMillan has his team playing some great basketball at the moment but can they keep it up as the busy festive period approaches?

It has been a real team effort so far from the Pacers and that has been vital to their success. However, if one player has to be chosen as a stand out then it has to be Victor Oladipo. This is Oladipo’s first season with the Pacers after being traded during the summer from the Oklahoma City Thunder. He has made a very good impression on his new fan base and they will be hoping he can keep this up to lead them on to further success over the coming weeks and months.

If the current standings are anything to go by, then the race for the final few playoff spots in the eastern conference is going to be fiercely fought for. The Pacers are sure to be involved in the race but, with teams like the Washington Wizards, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, and Philadelphia Sixers all involved, things are sure to be tough. Not all of those teams will make the playoffs, meaning some good teams will miss out and the Pacers need to make sure they are not one of the teams missing out.

If you think the Indiana Pacers can keep up their momentum and continue their climb, you may want to bet online for them to win the division or conference title. Their odds are currently huge; they are +6000 to win the division and +10000 to win the Eastern Conference. Should the Pacers continue their assault on the standings, those odds are sure to tumble and, while it may remain a tough ask, the Pacers are doing a lot of things right at the moment, and will have support from many people.

The schedule the Pacers have coming up over the festive period is very tough and that could make or break them. They finish December off with four games in five nights, two on the road, and two at home, meaning a lot of travel is also involved, and it is certainly not ideal for them. Should they get into the New Year still in contention, then they are going to feel really good about themselves and they will fancy their chances of the playoffs at least.

After a poor start, it has been an impressive couple of weeks for the Indiana Pacers and they are beginning to show the rest of the NBA just what they are made of. Should they keep this up, then a playoff position looks highly likely, despite many good teams being on the brink of the playoffs. It will be interesting to see how the Pacers go on before the New Year but, so far, the signs are positive and they look capable of maintaining their climb up the Eastern Conference.