The Indiana Pacers are heading into what could be a franchise-defining NBA Draft Lottery on Sunday, and fans have plenty of reasons to tune in. With the lottery set to start at 3 p.m., here's everything you need to know about how the Pacers can secure a top-four pick—and what to root for along the way.

First, the odds: Indiana has a 14% chance of landing the No. 1 overall pick, which would be a historic first for the franchise. The Pacers have never selected first in the draft, so this would be a monumental moment. Overall, they have a 52.1% chance of cracking the top four, giving them a solid shot at a cornerstone player.

But here's the catch—the Pacers' pick is protected. As part of the Ivica Zubac trade, the Los Angeles Clippers will get Indiana's pick if it falls to No. 5 or No. 6. That means the Pacers can't pick lower than sixth, so the stakes are high. If the pick lands in the top four, Indiana keeps it. If not, it heads to L.A.

So, what should you watch for during the lottery broadcast? The top four picks are determined by the lottery, and the rest are revealed in inverse order. If a team outside the projected top four—like the Chicago Bulls, who have the ninth-best odds—isn't called at their expected spot, it means they've jumped into the top four. That would reduce the Pacers' chances of keeping their pick.

Keep an eye on the sixth pick announcement. Since the Pacers can't pick lower than sixth, that's the moment of truth. If Indiana's name comes up at No. 5 or No. 6, the pick goes to the Clippers. But here's a silver lining: if that happens, the Pacers will retain their 2031 first-round pick, which was also part of the trade.

Adding to the intrigue, Pacers point guard T.J. McConnell will represent the team at the lottery. And while there's some consensus among draft experts about the top four prospects, the actual order could shift dramatically based on how the lottery balls bounce.

For Pacers fans, Sunday is all about rooting for a little luck. A top-four pick could be the catalyst for the next great era in Indiana basketball—and you won't want to miss a second of the action.