NBA Power Rankings Week 5: How good are the Utah Jazz?

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JANUARY 21: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz in action during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Vivint Smart Home Arena on January 21, 2021 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) /

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100. . 9-6. Previous: 5th. Indiana Pacers. 11. team

Last Week: Lost to LA Clippers 129-96, Lost to Dallas Mavericks 124-112, Beat/OT Orlando Magic 120-118

This Week: 1/24 vs. Toronto Raptors, 1/25 vs. Toronto Raptors, 1/27 at Charlotte Hornets, 1/29 at Charlotte Hornets

It was a rough week for the Indiana Pacers given the number of players out of the lineup. Jeremy Lamb made his season debut but Myles Turner missed two of the games while Caris LeVert and TJ Warren remain out.

Turner, in particular, was sorely missed. When in the lineup, he brought the defensive intensity that the Indiana faithful has gotten accustomed to. He may be the leading candidate for Defensive Player of the Year thus far and is dragging a team along that needs that rim protection.

Malcolm Brogdon and Domantas Sabonis saw slight dips in efficiency throughout the week but are still on an All-Star pace. Losses against the LA Clippers and Dallas Mavericks happen, especially when you are shorthanded. Losing by 33 and 12 is less than ideal but the team continues to move on to the next game and poses a threat when they have all of their team in the fold.

The weak ahead bodes well for them to get right. Two games each against the Toronto Raptors and Charlotte Hornets each with the size that Indiana boasts should portend a jump up the rankings next week. For now, though, this was a down week.