NBA Power Rankings week 12: injury fallout, OKC Thunder highs and lows

Indiana Pacers:

Offense: (109.8) 12th
Defense: (106.7) 10th
Net: (plus +3.1) 12th

Games Week 12 (2-1): Won vs. Hornets: 115-104, Bulls: 116-105, Lost vs. Heat: 108-122
Games Week 13 (4 games): Mon vs. 76ers | Weds at Wolves | Fri vs. Wolves | Sun at Nuggets

Through the first half of the season, the Pacers have benefited from an easier strength of schedule and that continues over their next 10 games as they face only three teams with records above .500 although the back-to-back versus the Nuggets-Jazz is one of the more brutal consecutive game pairings.

Through to this point in the season, the Pacers are very close to ranking the top 10 in all three key categories – a major accomplishment in its own right. I know I say it every week but this Pacers team won’t just get better with the return of Victor Oladipo they have a shot of becoming much better.

The note to take here is unlike teams who had to integrate new players Dipo is familiar with most of the main players. Sure, he’ll need to find chemistry with Malcolm Brogdon and TJ Warren but both those players have shown a propensity to mesh with whoever Nate McMillan puts on the court.

One thing worth watching is how the Pacers fare on the road and against top teams. They haven’t been tested much in that regard this season — so we’ll see in the coming weeks.