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Here we are with another set of Pacers power rankings across the NBA. The Pacers have moved into the top five in every single ranking. Coincidence? I think not.
Last week: 5 This week: 4
What they said: The Pacers have won five straight, avenging their last loss (against the Bulls) along the way. Paul George (40, 33 and 39 points last week) continues to put up big numbers, C.J. Miles hit eight threes in Washington on Tuesday, and now Monta Ellis is starting to get going. They're on the brink of ranking in the top 10 on both ends of the floor, but a tough stretch looms. Eight of their next 11 opponents are over .500.
This week: @ LAC, @ POR, @ UTA
Last week: 8 This week: 5
What they said: Somewhat lost in the Paul George hot sauce? Indiana has shot a blistering 40.5% from three this season, second-best behind Golden State. Though it’s impressive, it also raises sustainability questions, with main options George (45.5%), C.J. Miles (42.9%) and George Hill (42.2%) all firing well above their career-bests from downtown.
Last week: 8 This week: 5
What they said: Frank Vogel has taken to calling Paul George this league's best two-way player. And who can argue at the minute? With not a lot of Pacers playing peak ball around him and the team changing its style on the fly, Indy starts a new week as the East's No. 2 team in nightly point differential at +6.2 and fresh off a sparkly 11-2 record in November.
Last week: 6 This week: 3
What they said: The Pacers have an adjusted field-goal percentage (which factors 3-pointers) of 55 percent on plays off the screen (curls, etc.). Most of those are 3s. They are creating such great looks on offense every play. I didn't know if Frank Vogel could design an efficient offense. Instead he's created a flame-throwing fleet of dune buggies.
Last week: 9 This week: 5
What they said: They are outscoring teams by 11.9 per 100 possessions their last 10 games. Frank Vogel on Indy’s play: "We’ve had a good, healthy belief in this plan all year. We didn’t know how long it was going to take before it got going, and we knew it had the potential to catch fire. We’ve gotten a little bit hot of late, but we haven’t really accomplished anything yet."