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Pacers potential playoff opponents preview: Miami Heat

By Ben Renz

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 25: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers and Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat embrace after the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 25, 2018 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 - MARCH 25: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers and Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat embrace after the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 25, 2018 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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Bojan Bogdanovic Heat Pacers
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – JANUARY 10: Bojan Bogdanovic /

Small Forward Matchup: Bojan Bogdanovic v Josh Richardson

JRich has had an impressive third year in the league, starting all 76 games for the Heat so far and improving his effective field goal percentage from 46 percent last year to 53 percent. The 6’6″ former second-round pick is averaging 1.5 steals per game, but his overall defense has been slightly above average.

The question regarding Bojan, however, is which Bojan are we getting? His per game averages are all up this year from last – 14.3 PPG, 47.4 FG percentage, 39.5 percent from deep – but we’ve all seen how he can disappear (or how he can actively work against the team with late-game boneheaded-ness). His no-show in the playoffs last year for the Wizards is also troubling to consider.

This one could go either way. Bojan has more playoff experience, but barely – 19 games to JRich’s 14 (all during his 2016 rookie season) – and their Win Shares are nearly identical (Bogey’s 5.2 v JRich’s 5). Richardson has the athleticism advantage, but hopefully, it comes down to more than that. If I’m flipping a coin, I’m fixing it to come up Pacers.

Advantage: Pacers, I guess

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