The perception is Portland is a strong defensive team and a below average offensive club. The season statistics bear that out where the Trail Blazers rank eighth defensively and 20th in scoring.

But since the start of January those perceptions have turned wrong. The Trail Blazers have become a top-five offense in terms of points per possession and their defense ranks 26th since the calendar turned to 2018.

Star point guard Damian Lillard is close to 100 percent. He's averaged 26 points in his last four games while shooting 50.7 percent from the floor. The Trail Blazers have started to play more small ball going with three guards - Lillard, C.J. McCollum and Shabazz Napier, who shined in Lillard's absence. This means increased tempo. The Pacers remain without their rim protector Myles Turner, who ranks second in the NBA in blocked shots.

The Pacers have been playing well despite the absence of Turner. Indiana is averaging 111 points per game game during its last six games. Victor Oladipo has emerged as a star ranking 12th in scoring at 24.3 points per game.