One of the most dominant postseason players in National Basketball Association history, James is undefeated in Game 1 of any opening series, a ideal 12-0 since making his playoff debut with the Cavaliers back in 2006.
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As for their offense, the Pacers need to be prepared for the Cavs to blitz Victor Oladipo in the pick-and-roll.
This series was expected by just about everyone to be a Cavs win.
Myles Turner helped spark Indiana’s elite defensive effort by scoring 16 points with eight rebounds and a block.
The rest of Cleveland’s starters managed only 25 points. Lue wants him to come out of the gate more assertive, rather than waiting and getting a feel for the game. The Pacers, who led by as many as 23 in the quarter, had to settle for a 73-65 advantage after three quarters. Oladipo shut down the Cavs’ comeback with 10 fourth-quarter points.
IN had taken three of four regular-season games and finished 48-34, earning the fifth seed in the East. IN is a talented team with quality scoring depth and this one should be no different. The Cavaliers’ high water mark was when they trailed by seven, 76-69, with 10:29 to go in the game. Guess this one got started early.
“We were pressuring the ball”, Lance Stephenson said. Somehow the technical foul on LeBron wasn’t the worst. IN jumped out to a 30-10 lead in the first quarter and survived a brief Cavs run late in the third quarter en route to a surprisingly easy 98-80 win.
Thankfully for IN, they had Oladipo and company to mop up the mess.
The All-Star had 32 points on 11-of-19 shooting, including 6-of-9 from long distance. Green was 0-for-7 from the field, 0-for-3 from the line and the Cavs were outscored by 15 when he was on the floor.
It’s true the supporting cast for LeBron is not the best he’s had, but to think LeBron is going to go down without putting up a fight is ridiculous. He gives IN needed flexibility IN their frontcourt. And there’s no reason to believe that the Cavaliers aren’t still the team to beat in the East. The largest loss for the Pacers was six points. He held his own on defense as well. “It’s the playoffs. You expect to be pushed”.
LeBron pointed out to reporters that he has faced-and overcome-much more daunting postseason odds.
When 4 and 5 seeds meet there should be a competitive series as a result. The Pacers won most of the stats except for the final stat: points.
Why Will the Pacers Win? It’s one of the biggest keys to IN winning the series.
Jazz rookie Donovan Mitchell had 27 points and 10 rebounds, but he left in the second half with left foot soreness. According to him, the Pacers came to the playoffs to win and so far they are on track.
Al Horford was top scorer with 24 points, while Terry Rozier chipped in with 23. I just thought their physicality on post-ups and things like that was a lot for us.
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Game 2 of the first round series tips off at 7 p.m. Wednesday in Cleveland.
