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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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Hassan Whiteside Heat Pacers
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – JANUARY 10: Hassan Whiteside /

Center matchup: Myles Turner v Hassan Whiteside

Here is a matchup that would’ve terrified Pacers fans just two years ago, but Whiteside’s playing time has taken a dip (25.6 minutes per game), he’s played just 49 games thanks to injuries (sore left knee, left hip pain). The oft-disgruntled seven-footer is especially grumpy heading into the playoffs. But expect Hassan to average large rebounding numbers against Myles (and please, no ‘trade Myles!’ tirades @ the 8points9seoncds Twitter account when this inevitably happens). Expect him to occasionally frustrate Turner, but opposing teams actually see .5 points per 100 upticks in Offensive Rating with him on the court. He slightly hurts his team defensively, hence the shrinking minutes.

Meanwhile, Myles’ presence on the court is impressive: opposing teams are 3.6 points worse with him out there and the Pacers’ offensive gets a 2.5 point boost. But don’t expect those numbers to bear out exactly like that during a Pacers v Heat series. Whiteside may have just an inch on Myles, but Count Blockula has twenty pounds more muscle and it’s likely to show up in the box score. Whether it shows up in actual wins, though, seems dubious.

Advantage: Pacers

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