pacers.comPACERS WIN DRAFT TIE-BREAKERWell, hallelujah.Stop the presses. Or the servers. Or the ISPs. Or whatever it is you'd say these days when there's some news to report.The Pacers beat the Sixers Friday.Which is to say their ball was drawn before Philadelphia's in the NBA Draft tie-breaker session conducted by league Vice President Stu Jackson. The Pacers thus hold the 11th draft position, while the Sixers, who also finished 35-47, are 12th.In the big picture, here's what it means: instead of a 2.5 percent chance (as the No. 12 team) of winding up with one of the top three picks in the June 28 NBA Draft, they now have a 2.9 percent chance as the No. 11 team. Not exactly cause for a parade down Pennsylvania Street, but a win nonetheless.Of course, this also means they have a 97.1 percent chance of having no first-round pick, because it would otherwise wind up in Atlanta to complete the Harrington trade. Because of the way the lottery is conducted ? on May 22, they'll draw only for the top three picks, with the rest of the teams slotting behind in inverse order of won-lost record ? the Pacers will either wind up with one of the top three picks or none at all.Yes, this was a very small victory. Then again, if this was an indication that the Pacers' luck with ping-pong balls has changed. ? well, let's just say there are a few conspiracy theorists out there that believe the league owes the franchise one. Or two, or three.This could help us a little bit, but the odds are still against us against getting a draft pick :no1:
