Milwaukee Bucks Game Preview: Jan 8 at Indiana Pacers

Pacer to watch – Victor Oladipo

While most questioned the Pacers’ decision to trade Paul George for a haul of Domantas Sabonis and Victor Oladipo, not many could have foreseen the transformation of the former Indiana Hoosiers guard into the kind of All-Star talent he’s apparently become.

Oladipo is averaging 24.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.9 steals and 1.0 blocks per game this year, while making 49.1 percent of his field goal attempts and 42.6 percent of his shots from deep.

Oladipo’s recent absence with knee soreness saw the Pacers tumble in the standings, and then immediately upon his return it seems the ship was righted. In a Saturday game against the Chicago Bulls, Oladipo notched up 23 points, nine assists, six rebounds and five steals in just 24 minutes, as the Pacers halted a five-game losing streak with a 39-point win.

The 25-year-old is playing with a level of confidence that not many other players in the NBA can currently match, and his presence on the floor completely transforms the fortunes of his team. If Oladipo isn’t at his best, the Pacers are very unlikely to win.