NBA Power Rankings: Come fall in love with the Sacramento Kings

By Ian Levy | Nov 6, 2018

MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 29: De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings drives to the basket against the Miami Heat on October 29, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. 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 Oscar Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 31: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers reacts against the New York Knicks on October 31, 2018 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

team. 100. . 7-4. Previous: 8th. indiana pacers. 6

The Pacers took a tough loss against the Houston Rockets but they still had a strong week and have largely been able to stave off any lurking regression. One of the big questions for the Pacers this season was whether they could continue to hold out in the clutch and win close games. Last season, they were 26-18 in games where the margin was within five points at any time in the final five minutes, outscoring opponents by an average of 16.6 points per 100 possessions in those clutch scenarios.

To this point, at least, they’ve been able to replicate that late-game magic, outscoring opponents by 26.9 points per 100 possessions in 21 clutch minutes. As he was last year, Victor Oladipo has been sensational with a usage rate of 46.0 and an 83.6 true shooting percentage in clutch minutes. It feels like they’re walking a tightrope but no matter how precarious it appears, they’re still on the dang rope.

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