NBA Playoffs: Everything you need to know about the Miami Heat vs Indiana Pacers

Can Oladipo return to his old self?

The last time we saw Oladipo in the playoffs, he was coming off his Most Improved Player award and the Indiana Pacers were in a seven-game series with the Cleveland Cavaliers. During those playoffs, he averaged 22.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 2.4 steals a game on 54.8 percent true shooting.

Some of the games he played in that series were just mind-blowing. In an elimination game, down 3-2, he gave you 28 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists and four steals on 73.7 percent true shooting. That kind of performance is an All-NBA caliber.

Unfortunately, injuries happened, and after missing months of basketball, he simply hasn’t looked like himself yet. Before the bubble, he managed to come back for 13 games and averaged 13.8 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game on just 50.0 percent true shooting.

There are gradual improvements in his game in the bubble, but they are still not what we are used to seeing. He is still not that guy that can get you a triple-double, knockdown six threes in an elimination game and that is going to be key in this series.

As much as good Warren and Brogdon have been, Indiana needs Oladipo to step up and be himself if they want even a chance to beat the Heat.

However, seeing as he wasn’t even considering playing in the bubble at the beginning, it is unlikely we’ll see All-Star Oladipo.