5 biggest surprises of the 2018-19 NBA season

TORONTO, CANADA - NOVEMBER 29: Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors reacts to a play during the game against the Golden State Warriors on November 29, 2018 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 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 Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 24: Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers is seen during the game against the Denver Nuggets at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 24, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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.(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

3. The Indiana Pacers winning without Oladipo

Victor Oladipo had a breakout season last year, making his first ever appearances on the All-Star and All-NBA teams, and expectations were high for his encore performance. However, after playing just 36 games, Oladipo suffered a season-ending injury against the Raptors. Many expected the Pacers to immediately collapse, and potentially fall out of the playoff picture altogether without Oladipo, yet they have tenaciously held on to the No. 4 seed in the East, looking like a team that no one would be eager to face in the first round.

Led by Defensive Player of the Year candidate Myles Turner, the Pacers have had one of the stingiest defenses in the league, more than making up for their average offense. The Pacers have also been buoyed by the scoring of Bojan Bogdanovic, the steady veteran hand of Thaddeus Young, and the bench scoring of Domantas Sabonis who has quietly been perhaps the best sixth man in the NBA this year. Without Oladipo, the Pacers do not have any All-Stars on their roster, but they do have a number of good, solid players who have played hard for Nate McMillan all year long, showing that even without their best player, they are one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference.

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