How Victor Oladipo not playing impacts the Dallas Mavericks in Orlando

How Victor Oladipo not playing impacts Dallas Mavericks: Pacers title odds take hit

The Pacers currently sit fifth in the Eastern Conference. They were a trendy sleeper pick for two reasons. One, Oladipo had only played 13 games this season. Assuming he has back healthy, would improve Indiana significantly. The Pacers had won six of the last seven games that Oladipo appeared in. Two, they had the fourth-best road record in the East. With no home-court advantage in Orlando that looked promising.

Oladipo being out puts a damper on that. The Pacers and Sixers have identical records coming in. Philadelphia will have Ben Simmons back healthy to pair with Joe Embiid. Expect the 76ers to pass Indiana in Orlando.

That means the Pacers will most likely play the Celtics in the first round of the playoffs. Indiana will be the underdogs against a deep and dangerous Boston squad.

Oladipo being out crushes the Pacers title chances. They will be hoping to pull a first round upset in the postseason. Any more than that would be a surprising development without Victor Oladipo healthy.

One more team dropping out of the race only improves the Dallas Mavericks chances of winning it all in Orlando. Fans can read more about why the Mavs are capable of doing it here.

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