NBA Power Rankings week 16: OKC Thunder and teams post deadline

Indiana Pacers:

Offense: (110.2) 15th
Defense: (108.1) 13th
Net: (plus +2.1) 13th

Results Week 16: (0-4) Lost vs. Mavericks: 103-112, (at) Raptors:118-119, Raptors: 106-115, Pelicans: 117-124
Games Week 17: (2 games) Mon vs Nets | Weds vs Bucks

This wasn’t how Victor Oladipo envisioned his return to the Pacers lineup would go. Granted there was bound to be some growing pains in terms of integrating Dipo. In fairness, they battled in every match, particularly the home and home series versus the Raptors.

In the initial match, they were up 11 in clutch time but the Raptors shut them down defensively and stole back the win. The reverse occurred at the Fieldhouse but Toronto’s defense proved too much to overcome. By the time they reached Sunday, they were spent having delivered two playoff level games (the Raptors displayed the same fatigue signs in their Sunday match).

Still, don’t sleep on these Pacers – they are tougher, more talented, and deeper than most recognize and while Oladipo is still shaking off the rust and may not fully be back until next year there are already glimpses of how special he and backcourt mate Malcolm Brogdon will be.

While some teams will need the All-Star Break to rest tired legs this crew needs the break for practice so they can expedite their chemistry.  And to fix their spiraling defense which dropped from 8th to 13th in one week.