Fansided

Each NBA team’s 2020 New Year’s resolution

By Gerald Bourguet

MILWAUKEE, WI - DECEMBER 19: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers look on during a game on December 19, 2019 at the Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images).
MILWAUKEE, WI - DECEMBER 19: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers look on during a game on December 19, 2019 at the Fiserv Forum Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images). /
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Indiana Pacers: Flip the switch with Oladipo

Despite missing their best player for the entire season, the new-look Indiana Pacers have once again found a way to overachieve, going 21-12 with a plus-3.2 point differential. Though they’re only the 6-seed in the East right now, they’ve exceeded expectations for the second straight year under head coach Nate McMillan.

Malcolm Brogdon has blossomed with more responsibility, Domantas Sabonis is playing like an All-Star candidate, T.J. Warren is adding some extra scoring punch and Myles Turner continues to protect the rim like an elite defensive anchor. However, no one is including them among the conference favorites like the Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers, nor are they even mentioned in the same breath as pleasant surprises like the Celtics, Toronto Raptors or Miami Heat.

The reason for this? Victor Oladipo has yet to make his return from a ruptured quad tendon last January, and it’ll be slow going for him once he’s back on the court. However, if he can return soon and everything clicks for the Pacers, this may be the dark horse no one saw coming in 2020.

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