NBA Preview: The Cavaliers are hoping to continue their winning ways after escaping with a 109-108 victory in Game 1.
Indiana Pacers (42-41) at Cleveland Cavaliers (52-31), Monday, 7 p.m. EST
Line: Cavs -7.5. Total 210.
Series: Cavs lead 1-0.
Paul George is on fire.
George, the 6-foot, 9-inch shooting guard / small forward for the Pacers, is shooting 56.8% from the field the last 6 games. Indiana is 5-1 in those games, including their heartbreaking one-point loss to Cleveland in Game 1 of their first-round, Eastern Conference series. George also had 43 points, 9 assists and 9 rebounds in a double-overtime loss at Cleveland on April 2. He single-handedly kept Indiana in that game as he scored 19 straight points during the overtime periods.
Despite another 29 points from George in Game 1 on Saturday, the Cavaliers escaped with a hard-fought 109-108 victory. Lance Stephenson had a great game off the bench for the Pacers. Stephenson scored 16 points while adding 7 rebounds and 3 assists for Indiana. The Pacers had a chance to win the game during their final possession, but CJ Miles missed a last-second jump shot. More on that in a minute.
The playoffs have arrived and so has King James. LeBron scored 32 points, dished out 13 assists and collected 6 rebounds while playing almost 43 minutes for the Cavaliers. Kyrie Irving added 23 points and 6 assists, while Kevin Love scored 17 points.
The storyline after the game revolved around who took the last shot for the Pacers. George said during the post-game press conference that he needs to get the final shot of the game. Indiana coach Nate McMillan did draw up a play to get the ball to George and the Pacers did get him the ball. However, Cavaliers’ coach Tyronn Lue had James immediately double-team George as soon as he got the ball. George had to pass the ball before James collapsed on him. Miles received the ball from George. The issue George had was that Miles did not attempt to get the ball back to George for the final shot of the game.
However, the game clock was the issue with Miles getting the ball back to George. There was only about five seconds left in the game when Miles got the ball. Furthermore, George was not open initially. Right as George made a slash and cut to escape LeBron, Miles had already put his jump shot in motion.
The Cavaliers’ defense struggled as they allowed Indiana to shoot 49.4% from the field, but they made the most important stop of the game when it counted. Cleveland’s offense was crisp as they took advantage of mismatches constantly when the Pacers’ defense switched on pick-and-rolls.
There is still a lot of concern in Cleveland about whether the Cavaliers are going to struggle their way through every postseason game. However, a win like this could give the Cavs confidence and serve as a springboard to a nice playoff run.
It is difficult not to take the Pacers and the 7.5 points tonight. However, I will have my first playoff selections on Tuesday night.
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