Hoops Habit
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NBA Power Rankings: HoopsHabit Holiday Edition

By Maxwell Ogden

Dec 23, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) attempts a shot against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) attempts a shot against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 15, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert (55) posts up against Los Angeles Lakers center Jordan Hill (27) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana Pacers defeat the Los Angeles Lakers 110-91. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 15, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert (55) posts up against Los Angeles Lakers center Jordan Hill (27) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana Pacers defeat the Los Angeles Lakers 110-91. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

22. Indiana Pacers

Record: 10-19

Last Week: 2-2

Previous Rank: No. 24

In 2013-14, Paul George was the Indiana Pacers’ leading scorer and Lance Stephenson was the team’s No. 1 facilitator. In 2014-15, George is expected to miss a majority, if not all of the season, due to injury and Stephenson is playing for the Charlotte Hornets.

Their absence has been felt.

Roy Hibbert has performed better than a year ago, and the likes of Lavoy Allen and Solomon Hill have been strong. Unfortunately, the Pacers’ offense has been dreadful and its defense hasn’t been able to secure many victories.

Losing 10 of 12 is evidence enough.

Indiana is only 3.0 games out of the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference, but that’s more of a comment on the competition than the quality of the Pacers. This team can still hold opponents below 95 points, but it’s struggling to meet that threshold itself.

Somehow, this team had the best record in the Eastern Conference a year ago.

Next: Turning Things Around