3 reasons why the Pacers can and will make the 2020 NBA Finals
If the Eastern Conference is as open as the cornfields in Indiana, the Indiana Pacers’ championship hopes are not far-fetched.
Last season, the Indiana Pacers finished fifth in the East with a 48-34 overall record.
For the Pacers to lose their star in Victor Oladipo for the season, drop from third to just the fifth seed and still make the playoffs, Eastern Conference teams should be scared of who will soon shock the NBA.
Let’s look at why the Pacers are likely to represent the Eastern Conference in the 2020 NBA Finals.
Victor Oladipo’s ISO scoring & health
As one if not the best shooting guard in the East, Oladipo’s ability to space the floor has contributed to the success of his teammates to get in rhythm with his dribble-drive assist formation.
Before Oladipo’s season ended due to injury, he averaged 18.8 points per game and 5 assists while the Pacers went 31-15. That’s a 55-win pace, or what would’ve been the No. 3 seed in the East and the fourth best record in the NBA last year.
Let’s also not forget about the 2017-18 NBA Playoffs. The Pacers took LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers to a Game 7 in the first round and lost by four points.
Throughout that series, Oladipo showed off his defensive prowess and aggressiveness, leading both teams in steals with a total of 17, per NBA.com.
Because his usage percentage against Cleveland was 30.9, it only validated how dominant Oladipo’s ISO scoring can be when he controls the tempo.
It’s difficult to stop Oladipo who has a high IQ and can find the open man at the wing or in the post.
When Oladipo dictates the offense through pick “n” pop situations, defenders shift their focus on doubling one of the Pacers while leaving Oladipo open.
There’s no doubt Oladipo will come back fully healthy and have heroic games where he goes on a scoring rampage.
Had Oladipo not got injured, it’s fair to say the Pacers would’ve finished as a top three seed or upset the Boston Celtics in the first round. But that’s just the beginning.