Pacers in holding pattern in this week’s Power Rankings Roundup
By Ben Gibson
The Indiana Pacers were ready to make a big move up the board before losing in agonizing fashion to the New York Knicks.
Life comes at you fast. The Indiana Pacers found that out over their last few games and are on a 3-game losing streak. While only two of those factor in this week’s batch of power rankings, it none the less popped the brakes on the optimism surrounding Indiana.
Last week’s 3-game win streak made it easy to forget this team is made up of many younger and inexperienced players. Victor Oladipo, Myles Turner, and Domantas Sabonis play a big factor in whether the Pacers win or not, though Thaddeus Young and Darren Collison are certainly carrying their own weight.
Oladipo is still leaping over preseason expectations but his numbers came back to Earth this week as well. Turner’s return only makes the Indiana better, but after finding a rhythm in seven games without him the Pacers need time to re-calibrate.
This Pacers team is very much a work in progress and growing pains are expected, but even in their losses over the last week, we saw just how fun this team is. The high pace offense covers up the defense’s weaknesses, but that’s better than watching Indiana slog out games with similar results.
@KennyDucey. Sports Illustrated. KENNY DUCEY. 24. Indiana did blow a 19-point lead to the Knicks on Sunday, but it also manhandled Cleveland, which was still a big deal at the beginning of the week (then the Hawks managed to beat them). Still, it’s a feat that should be recognized. By the way, when do we start reexamining the package Indiana got back for Paul George? Sabonis and Oladipo can play. (Last Week: 26th) — <a href=
@ESPNNBA. ESPN. ESPN . 20. Victor Oladipo is showing he’s capable of being a No. 1 option. He has recorded four 25-point games already this season, as many as he had all of last season and halfway to his most in a single season in his career. Also included in the Paul George trade was Domantas Sabonis, who already has more double-doubles this season (five) than he had all of last season (two). — Jose De Leon (Last Week: 22nd) — <a href=
17. Come on, Pacers! You were playing so well and the offense was amazing… Then you lost to the Knicks — not as grim a statement as it might have sounded previously, but this defense is a problem. (Last Week: 17th)— <a href=. @ChrisBarnewall. CBS Sports. CHRIS BARNEWALL
21. Myles Turner’s return pushed Domantas Sabonis to the bench on Sunday, which wasn’t a problem for the first 34 1/2 minutes of the Pacers’ game in New York. Sabonis was able to maintain his role as the fulcrum of the Indiana offense when Turner was off the floor and was a plus-23 with 16 points and eight rebounds until that point. Then things fell apart and Sabonis and Turner got just one shot between them over the final 13:30 as the Pacers blew a 19-point lead. After allowing just 93 points per 100 possessions over a three-game winning streak, Indy allowed 113 in weekend losses to the Sixers and Knicks, getting burned on the perimeter in Philly and in the paint in New York. (Last Week: 19th) — <a href=. @johnschuhmann. NBA. JOHN SCHUHMANN
22. While it’s great to have Myles Turner back on the floor, his return hasn’t helped the Indiana Pacers in the win-loss column yet, with the team going 0-2 since he came back.<p>Their most recent loss to the Knicks was especially painful, with Porzingis decisively winning the battle of the unicorns and the Pacers coughing up a 19-point lead to fall back to .500.</p><p>(Last Week: 21st) — <a style=. @GeraldBourguet. Hoops Habit. GERALD BOURGUET
Next: Pacers Rank: Myles returns, but Oladipo is still on top
The Pacers hit the road to take Detroit Pistons tonight and then visit the Chicago Bulls on Friday. They’ll return home to host the Houston Rockets on Sunday.