2017-18 NBA Power Rankings: Pacers, Thunder surge in Week 22

The Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers are surging at the right time in Week 22 of 2017-18 NBA Power Rankings.

After the Paul George trade and ensuing Carmelo Anthony deal, many believed the Oklahoma City Thunder were a dark horse to challenge for the Western Conference belt. After the Paul George trade, most assumed the Indiana Pacers would be tanking their way to find Myles Turner help.

OKC has yet to pan out as a legitimate title contender, but is still a great team in its own right. Ironically enough, that once-lopsided deal now appears to be helping both sides, as both the Thunder and Pacers are peaking at the right time in Week 22 of NBA Power Rankings.

Ironically enough, the Pacers (40-28) and Thunder (41-29) have nearly identical records, and thanks to their current win streaks, have the sixth- and seventh-best records in the league, respectively. One was expected; the other serves as a major surprise.

They aren’t the only surprises in the NBA this season though. Riding a 10-game win streak, the Portland Trail Blazers are now the 3-seed out West with the league’s fifth-best record overall. The New Orleans Pelicans are thriving despite DeMarcus Cousins‘ absence, the Utah Jazz are red-hot and the Los Angeles Clippers are defying the odds and injuries alike to keep fighting for a playoff spot.

The question is, how do these pleasant surprises stack up to the league’s elite title contenders? To sort it all out, and with the playoffs only a month away, here’s a look at the latest NBA Power Rankings.