Despite a shaky week, Pacers hold steady in this week's power rankings

It's was an up-and down week for the Pacers, with Indy beating the Clippers and then following that up with two straight losses to the Trail Blazers and Jazz to finish off its four-game road trip. With that in mind, let's see where Indiana stands in this week's power rankings.

We'll start by checking out NESN's edition of this week's rankings. Writer Darren Hartwell has the Pacers at 6. That's a drop of one spot from his rankings last week.

Here's what Hartwell had to say:

George is an absolute monster, but even his career-best 48 points wasn't enough in an overtime loss to the Jazz on Friday. Last week: 5

Next we'll check in with where CBS Sports has the Pacers. Writer Matt Moore has Indiana at 4, only falling 1 spot from his rankings last Monday.

Here's what Moore had to say:

I'm keeping them up here despite back to back losses to the Blazers and Jazz. They were finishing a West Coast road trip and the Clippers beatdown gets them some credit. Besides, they have to play the Warriors this week. I like to do nice things for people when bad things are about to happen to them.

Now, moving on to the Washington Post. Writer Tim Bontemps has the Pacers sitting at 8.

Here's what Bontemps had to say:

The only person who is stopping Paul George from being the top candidate to win this year's MVP award is Curry.

Moving onto Sports Illustrated. Writer Jeremy Woo has Indiana at 5, signifying no change from his rankings a week ago.

Here's what Woo had to say:

Indiana took a couple of lumps this week but remains in good shape, with its faster, smaller lineups having proven effective. After scoring a career-high 48 points against the Jazz, Paul George will lead the troops with a chance to end the Warriors' vaunted winning streak.

Lastly, we'll check in with John Schuhmann over at NBA.com. Schuhmann has the Pacers at 5, a drop of one spot from last Monday.

Here's what Schuhmann had to say:

The Pacers' defense has been generally terrific this season, but it fell apart, allowing 123 points per 100 possessions, in the final two games (at Portland and Utah) of a four-game trip out west. Indy has the league's second best defensive vs. Eastern Conference opponents and the fourth worst against Western Conference opponents, with Stephen Curry and the league's No. 1 offense coming to town on Tuesday.

The Pacers are back in action Tuesday night when the undefeated Golden State Warriors come to Bankers Life Fieldhouse, which provides Indiana with a golden opportunity to rise up in next week's rankings.