For the second time this 2017-18 NBA regular season, Victor Oladipo led the Indiana Pacers to a victory over the reigning Eastern Conference champions, the Cleveland Cavaliers. It was not just a win, as Oladipo and the Pacers snapped the 13-game winning streak of the Cavaliers.
Victor Oladipo exploded for 33 points, which included a three-pointer ahead of the final minute in the fourth quarter. The shot gave the Indiana Pacers a six-point advantage that was enough to hold off the Cleveland Cavaliers. The 25-year-old Indiana native registered eight rebounds, five assists, and a steal as well.
The performance of Oladipo impressed Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue. According to the Associated Press, Oladipo revealed following the game that Lue called him an All-Star. Oladipo also stated that it was an "honor" to receive that compliment from Lue.
Despite the vast improvement in his game, Oladipo remains focused on getting better. He aims for the Indiana Pacers to do the same too.
Rebuilding to end soon?
The Indiana Pacers entered the season as a rebuilding squad. In the offseason, they lost their longtime franchise star, Paul George. Though they added new faces like Victor Oladipo, Darren Collison, Cory Joseph, Bojan Bogdanovic, and Domantas Sabonis.
With the way Indiana is performing as of the moment, it looks like the rebuilding phase will conclude earlier than expected.
The Pacers are among the best in the Eastern Conference with their 15-11 record (sixth-placed). Indeed, the Pacers lost some tough games. However, they have triumphed versus potential playoff contenders like the Minnesota Timberwolves, Detroit Pistons, and the Toronto Raptors. The Pacers have also defeated the San Antonio Spurs and the Cleveland Cavaliers (twice already), who are title favorites each year.
Extend the streak
The success against the Cleveland Cavaliers helped the Indiana Pacers stay unbeaten in their past three outings. From December 10 to 15, the Pacers are going to have an opportunity to extend their winning streak while seeing action at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse, their home court.
On December 10, Indiana will try to capture its fourth consecutive win when it hosts the Denver Nuggets.
Three days later (December 13), the Pacers are set to welcome back Paul George, who will visit with his Oklahoma City Thunder. On December 15, the Pacers are going to close a six-game homestand when the Detroit Pistons come to town.
