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NBA Power Rankings Week 11: All-Star break edition

By Corey Rausch

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 09: Kyrie Irving #11 and James Harden #13 of the Brooklyn Nets while playing the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on February 09, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 09: Kyrie Irving #11 and James Harden #13 of the Brooklyn Nets while playing the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on February 09, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
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20. team. 100. . 16-19. Previous: 20th. Indiana Pacers

Last Week: Lost to Philadelphia 76ers 130-114, Beat Cleveland Cavaliers 114-111, Lost to Denver Nuggets 113-103

This Week: 3/12 at Los Angeles Lakers, 3/13 at Phoenix Suns

This season for the Indiana Pacers has been a disappointment. They have only won five of their past 15 games and went from a homecourt hopeful playoff team for the second consecutive season to a team battling just to stay afloat.

Pinpointing the exact issue for the Pacers is not an easy task. T.J. Warren has not played since 2020 ended. While that is troublesome, the team was succeeding throughout January. Warren is unlikely to return anytime soon. If that is the problem, the fix is not coming.

The Pacers took a swing trading for Caris LeVert and he has yet to take the court after a kidney tumor was discovered during the physical conducted following the trade. Having him in the lineup should lead to more wins. Like Warren, figuring out when LeVert will return is anyone’s guess.

The unfortunate truth is that the top three players who have been on the court have just slowed down. Malcolm Brogdon was averaging 22.9 points and 7.0 assists per game on shooting splits of .457/.404/.896 through the end of January. Myles Turner was a defensive juggernaut and averaging 3.9 blocks per game. Domantas Sabonis, since named an All-Star was averaging 20.6 points, 12.0 rebounds and 5.7 assists per game.

Since February started Sabonis is only averaging 9.9 rebounds per game Turner has dropped down to 2.7 blocks per game. Brogdon’s drop-off is most noticeable. His overall line is down to 18.9 points and 5.1 assists per game and is shooting just .433/.324/.900. For the Pacers to get back on track, these three players simply need to be better while their teammates are out of the lineup.