NBA: Biggest surprises and disappointments of the 2017-18 season thus far

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 13: Victor Oladipo #4 of Indiana Pacers and Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder watch the action during the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on December 13, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 13: Victor Oladipo #4 of Indiana Pacers and Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder watch the action during the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on December 13, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 13: Victor Oladipo #4 of Indiana Pacers and Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder watch the action during the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on December 13, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 13: Victor Oladipo #4 of Indiana Pacers and Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder watch the action during the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on December 13, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Taking a dive into some of the biggest surprises and disappointments of the 2017-18 NBA season  thus far

With the NBA season about 40 percent complete, there is still a lot left to be determined. But, at this point, there is also enough of a sample size to start evaluating teams’ performances relative to expectations thus far.

Clearly, as the Miami Heat showed last year, teams can change over the course of a season. Some teams will improve and some will fall off but, for the most part, things will remain relatively similar.

There have been plenty of pleasant surprises to go along with a number of disappointments this season. These are some of the teams that for one reason or another are better or worse than expected.