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NBA Power Rankings 18: A new top team as the playoffs approach

By Corey Rausch

HOUSTON, TEXAS - APRIL 23: Paul George #13 of the Los Angeles Clippers walks in reverse to the bench during a timeout in the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on April 23, 2021 in Houston, Texas. 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 Carmen Mandato/Getty Images )
HOUSTON, TEXAS - APRIL 23: Paul George #13 of the Los Angeles Clippers walks in reverse to the bench during a timeout in the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on April 23, 2021 in Houston, Texas. 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 Carmen Mandato/Getty Images ) /
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(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

. 28-31. Previous: 20th. Indiana Pacers. 20. team. 100

Last Week: Lost to Atlanta Hawks 129-117, Lost to San Antonio Spurs 109-94, Beat Oklahoma City Thunder 122-116, Beat Detroit Pistons 115-109

This Week: 4/25 at Orlando Magic, 4/27 vs. Portland Trail Blazers, 4/29 vs. Brooklyn Nets, 5/1 at Oklahoma City Thunder

Lesson learned for the Indiana Pacers: even with a depleted roster, it is possible to take advantage of tanking teams to maintain your spot in the play-in tournament. Domantas Sabonis played in just one game this week. Myles Turner remains out indefinitely. But the two guards for the Pacers are still more than sufficient to knock off the likes of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Detroit Pistons.

Lucky for Indy, they take on the Thunder again this week as well as the Orlando Magic. Maintaining a .500 record the rest of the way will be necessary to hold on to a play-in spot. Malcolm Brogdon was solid again this week. He averaged 25.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.0 blocks per game on shooting splits of .439/.357/.909. He continues to drive the ship in the absence of Sabonis and leading the team in scoring does not hurt either.

Flying under the radar is the All-Defensive team case for TJ McConnell. He is fourth in the league in steals (1.8 per game) and plays at least five minutes less per game than everyone in front of him. He is an absolute pest who will pick opponents up at full court if asked to and live inside their jersey. He may not make it, but he will try harder than anyone else until he does.