The 2022-23 NBA season is over halfway through, and there have been surprisingly good teams and others that have disappointed.
So far, three teams that have played better than their expectations are the Sacramento Kings, Indiana Pacers and Brooklyn Nets.
Why?
- Kings: The Kings have yet to make the NBA Playoffs since the 2006 season, which is the longest drought in the entire NBA. They have had moments over the years where they looked like a good team but then faltered as the season went on. However, that has not been the case this season. Right now, the Kings are the third seed in the Western Conference with a 27-19 record in 46 games. New head coach Mike Brown has been a perfect fit, and the acquisition of Kevin Huerter has been massive (he is averaging 15.5 points per contest on 41.4% shooting from the three-point range).
- Pacers: The Pacers traded away key veterans such as Domantas Sabonis, Malcolm Brogdon and Caris LeVert over the last 12 months, which meant the franchise appeared to be in a rebuilding mode. Last year, they went 25-57 and were the 13th seed in the Eastern Conference. However, the team might be even better than they were with Saboins, Brogdon and LeVert. Tyrese Haliburton has played like an NBA All-Star and has averages of 20.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 10.2 assists and 1.8 steals per contest while shooting nearly 40% from the three-point range. They have played the last seven games without Haliburton and are still 24-25, which has them as the ninth seed in the Eastern Conference.
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