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NBA Power Rankings: Are the Detroit Pistons for real?

By Ian Levy

DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 25: Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons reacts after the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on October 25, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 25: Andre Drummond #0 of the Detroit Pistons reacts after the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on October 25, 2018 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Chris Schwegler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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SAN ANTONIO, TX – OCTOBER 24: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers handles the ball against the San Antonio Spurs on October 24, 2018 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX – OCTOBER 24: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers handles the ball against the San Antonio Spurs on October 24, 2018 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images) /

. 4-3. Previous: 11th. indiana pacers. 8. team. 100

The Pacers finished the week with a disappointing loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, but they also picked up big wins over the Spurs and Cavaliers. From a statistical standpoint, the Pacers are something of a mixed bag — they’ve played a slightly easier schedule than the average NBA team so far, and when they’ve lost, they’ve lost by fairly wide margins. However, their losses are all to likely playoff teams — the Bucks, Timberwolves and Blazers. They also have three 20+ wins already and are the only Eastern Conference team besides the Bucks who are top-10 in both offensive and defensive efficiency.

Establishing some consistency is going to be big for the Pacers moving forward and they’ll need move even play from almost everyone on the roster. Oladipo’s scoring numbers are down but he’s shooting well and continuing to help in other ways. Tyreke Evans has been impactful when he’s on the court. But Doug McDermott and Bojan Bogdanovic’s 3-point shooting numbers fell off this week and Myles Turner is just 2-of-10 from behind the line for the season. The Pacers could continue to push for the top of the East. Or regression could continue nipping at their heels.

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