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The common theme in this week's NBA Power Rankings comes from the improvement the Indiana Pacers have made in the past two weeks. It's not a complicated theme, but with the blue and gold coming together in games as of late to not only look like a team that can beat lesser opponents, but can put the hurt on lesser opponents, it's easier to get perked up about what the Pacers are doing.
It's noted in the John Hollinger ratings, but Indiana has a +6.00 scoring margin in their past ten games. That includes a +9.57 scoring margin in their last seven, six of them wins, with an average margin of victory of 12. To put that in perspective, the Pacers had just one double digit victory in their first 21 games, but have come away with five in their last seven. To take it a step further, Indiana had four wins over five points in November, their last seven W's haven't come that close.
With just a pair of games this week on a six-day layoff following the postponement of tonight's game against the Bulls, Indiana will be (hopefully) well prepared in their games against Phoenix and Atlanta.
NBA power rankings, week 9: Clippers surge to top - SBNation.com
Seth Rosenthal moves Indiana into the top 10, impressed with the improvements this team has made over the season to look like a good team compared to the opening weeks train wreck.
NBA Basketball Power Rankings - National Basketball Association - ESPN
The Pacers hold steady at #13 in Marc Stein's rankings, giving Paul George's double double play and Roy Hibbert's Defensive Player of the Year level some thought.
John Schuhmann notches the Pacers at 11th, noting their 29 point first half, while allowing just 29 in the second half. That is Pacers basketball.
NBA Power Rankings: Right now, Clippers are second best in West | ProBasketballTalk
The Pacers jump up six spots to #11, and Kurt Helin seems surprised the Pacers have won six out of seven. That's right, six out of seven.
NBA Power Rankings - Top 30 NBA Basketball Teams - FOX Sports on MSN
Despite a seemingly endless break in scheduling, Sam Amico feels the 11th ranked Pacers are putting themselves in good position for Danny Granger's return.
Top O' The World, Ma! - David Aldridge | NBA.com
Indiana returns to David Aldridge's top 15 at 13th, with Aldridge giving props to Indiana's defensive play.
2012-2013 Hollinger Power Rankings - ESPN
The Pacers are No. 12 on the Hollinger rankings, but given how the Pacers have fought games to the wire all year, the +6.00 scoring margin (good enough for fifth in the NBA) in their last ten is a comparative ocean.
Jeff Sagarin NBA ratings - USA TODAY
Indiana comes in at 13th in Sagarin's ratings, one of the last four teams to not clinch a win over a current top ten opponent.