The Indiana Pacers saw some gains and some losses in this week’s edition of the NBA power rankings.
The Pacers gained a little and lost a little in the different power rankings this week, which led to them holding in the same position as a week ago. Like last week they had an average rank of 12th place.
The Pacers win a week ago against the San Antonio Spurs and then against the Dallas Mavericks were impressive, but any gains made were erased by an awful outing against the Atlanta Hawks, arguably the Pacers worst game of the season.
The days off between the Spurs and Mavericks likely muted some of the momentum they might have carried in a normal week, but it is also understandable that some of the writers wrote off those wins after Indiana rolled over and died in Atlanta.
In essence, this week, it was one step forward, step right back for the Pacers.
The remaining schedule is filled with home games, 11 of 16 in fact, which will be a good chance for them to earn some respect and more importantly, move up in the standings.
ESPN’s Marc Stein hit on the way those wins were diluted by the drubbing at the hands (wings?) of the Hawks.
"The Pacers endured their worst loss of the season in Sunday’s 29-point drubbing in Atlanta, which naturally dulls some of the shine from what had otherwise been a fine week, thanks to a home win over San Antonio and success in Dallas in Monta Ellis’ return to Big D. Now to see what sort of impact Ty Lawson can make in Indy’s final 16 games, 11 of which are helpfully at home."
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Paul George’s strong play in the wins and weaker performance against Atlanta was noted by John Schuhmann of NBA.com in his assessment of the Pacers.
"It’s nice to have a Monday win over the Spurs and a Saturday win on the road in hand when you get thumped in Atlanta on Sunday. Paul George had averaged 27 points and hit nine of his 20 threes over a three-game winning streak, but has had two of his three single-digit scoring games against the Hawks after Sunday’s 3-for-15 performance. The Pacers play eight of their next nine games at home."
Though Sports Illustrated’s Jeremy Woo didn’t move Indiana any in his rankings, he was ready to give the Pacers a passing grade on their up-tempo experiment this season.
"Is it fair now to say the Pacers’ up-tempo philosophical shift has worked? Through 66 games, this Indiana squad has significantly outperformed last year’s iteration in points per game, offensive rating, defensive rating, fast-break points, forced turnovers and points off them."
However, Matt Moore of CBS Sports brought up the fact Indiana has been playing below average basketball when they face the Eastern Conference’s playoff teams.
"After their blowout loss to the Hawks, Indiana is now 8-14 vs. the Eastern Conference playoff teams. I’m willing to consider teams more dangerous than their regular-season resume, but if Indiana makes a move it’s going to be completely out of left field."
Indiana plays the Celtics at 7 p.m. tonight and will host the Toronto Raptors, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Philadelphia 76ers this week. With the exception of the 76ers, this week will test just how good (or bad) this Pacers team is.