Inconsistency Erodes the Indiana Pacers’ Place in Power Rankings

Dec 14, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) controls the ball around Indiana Pacers center Al Jefferson (7) during the second half at American Airlines Arena. The Miami Heat defeat Indiana Pacers 95-89. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 14, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) controls the ball around Indiana Pacers center Al Jefferson (7) during the second half at American Airlines Arena. The Miami Heat defeat Indiana Pacers 95-89. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

The Indiana Pacers keep making changes, but they remain one of the most inconsistent and frustrating teams in the NBA.

The Indiana Pacers still don’t know who they are and what they are doing.

A comeback win against the Portland Trail Blazers and then taking care of business against the Charlotte Hornets had Indiana’s fan hoping they finally turned the corner.

Then they lost the the Miami Heat while scoring only 10 points in the fourth quarter.

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Moving Glenn Robinson III into the starting lineup is likely the best move for the Pacers in the short and long term, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be games like the one in Miami where the Pacers revert back the version we saw play the Golden State Warriors.

The loss to Miami isn’t factored into this week’s rankings, but the Pacers’ ability to play down to their opponents is something that has happened all season.

This Pacers team is maddening, frustrating, inconsistent, and seeing on a 13-13 record. This Indiana team still has issues to sort through. Perhaps that makes it fitting that the Pacers average power ranking is right about the middle of the road at 16th place this week.

The schedule gets easier going forward, but as long as the Pacers lose games to teams at the bottom of the NBA, it is hard to see them as more than just an average team.

Next: Don’t Blame Monta Ellis For Larry Bird’s Mistakes

The Pacers fell to the Miami Heat last night, face the New Orleans Pelicans today, the Detroit Pistons on Saturday, and then the Washington Wizards on Monday.