NBA: 5 x-factors heading into the final 20 games of the regular season

Victor Oladipo, Indiana Pacers

Before we move forward, it should be noted that the only reason Victor Oladipo is on this list is because he hasn’t been active for the Indiana Pacers all season long. With that said, if the Pacers are going to make any noise in the final stretch of the season and into the playoffs, they’re going to need Oladipo to come into his own and shake off the rust.

During his 11 games he’s played in this season, Oladipo has really struggled from a consistency and efficiency standpoint. While that’s not really unexpected, considering he’s coming off a major injury, it’s also not ideal with less than 20 games before the playoffs.

So far this season, Oladipo is averaging 12 points and 2.5 assists per game on 38 percent shooting from the field and 28 percent from 3-point range. He’s still on somewhat of a minutes restriction, and that will, hopefully, change in time. But if the Pacers are going to be that threat in the playoffs, they need him to perform better all-around.

The good news is that after losing five of his first six games since his return, the Pacers have won five in a row and appear to be getting more and more comfortable with him in the lineup.