Series Thread: 5) Indiana Pacers vs. 4) Cleveland Cavaliers

[WiggyRuss]

And he's more than capable of doing it again. This isn't JJ Redick or Jrue Holiday exploding for 40 points.

This wasn't an anomoly because LeBron scored efficiently at will. He does that every game. It was an anomaly because he took more shots and created for others less, which is what this particular game required.

This was just the 4th time in the last 15 games that LeBron took that many shots. The other times? 40 points, 41 points, and 44 points. So lets not act like LeBron won't do this again, if the Pacers keep extending the invitation.

thats the thing--- you are exactly right--- if the Pacers are just gonna keep single covering LeBron and sticking to all the shooters- LeBron is going to have to keep making them pay until the perimeter defense loosens up.

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

wow....cool

So, if and when the Cavs advance-- if its the Raptors would you like to make an avatar bet on the series?

Are you relieved to see Hood didn't miss time because of injury?

Watching your twins birth was a great reason to be out.

 

[gordontrue]

There are people who have emphatically stated the Cavs are getting out of the East, even though they don't want them to.

There are also 2 or 3 who have gone on record to say they won't.

And I respect those 2 or 3 people. If it happens and the Cavs don't make the Finals I will give them all the props in the world.

The rest of the hoop who has the Cavs coming out of the East but also love to wax poetic every day about how vulnerable they are and how unsurprised they'll be when they lose and how much less of a certainty it is this year... those people won't get props or attention from me if they try to come with the "told you so".

 

[Wamu]

the Pacers do have some solid individual defenders as well- esp. on the perimeter.

Collison and Jospeh- neither are stars--- but Jospeh is prob the best backup PG in basketball. Joseph has great size and is a solid perimeter defender. Oladipo is a great perimeter defender. Stephenson is a very solid perimeter defender.

The big men on Indiana are the ones taht are more of the defensive liabilities--- Bogdon, Young, Turner, etc.


It looks like Indiana is going with basically an 8 man rotation--- maybe a LIL bit 9 with Booker getting some minutes.......

But i think the Cavs have to do a better job of beating up Indiana with Love in the post--- and rolling to the basket with Nance Jr. and or TT. That should open up the perimeter a little more--- because right now the Pacer's have some good perimeter defenders that are pretty much just staying at home and its a good strategy against the Cavs.

Hey wiggy heard this stat during last nights game. If it's already been mentioned my bad. LeBron now has ten 40 pt./ 10 reb. / 5 ast. games, 6 more than anyone else.

 

[Shanemansj13]

I will say the Cavs are playing better defense and it is against a pretty balanced, pretty underrated offense. Their offense is shit, plain and simple, nobody is playing well except Lebron and now a healthy Korver. Not much to say positive about those first two games except Lebron is a beast. He will need to do this the entire playoffs and his teammates need to step it up

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

And I respect those 2 or 3 people. If it happens and the Cavs don't make the Finals I will give them all the props in the world.

The rest of the hoop who has the Cavs coming out of the East but also love to wax poetic every day about how vulnerable they are and how unsurprised they'll be when they lose and how much less of a certainty it is this year... those people won't get props or attention from me if they try to come with the "told you so".

Fair enough.

Why do you think Lue has Tristan's ass velcroed to the bench?

 

[Heatles84]

Perhaps you should pay attention more.

I already said that if Philly gets to the ECF and faces the Cavs, they will beat them. I actually think, as of right now, the Raptors will beat the Cavs. Heck I give the Cavs about a 60% chance of beating the Pacers.

You seem to confuse people acknowledging the greatness of Lebron with people hedging. They aren't hedging. He's still the best player on the court and when playing good, but not great, teams like the Pacers that is enough to win.

To be clear, I'm not anti-Cavs in any way. But if you think this year is no different than year's past, then you have some serious memory issues or you weren't paying attention.

I don't know about the Raptors beating Cleveland - just merely on the psychological end.

But I agree, if Embiid's healthy and Philly makes it to the ECF. I'll stand with Philly at that juncture.

 

[flyerhawk]

I don't know about the Raptors beating Cleveland - just merely on the psychological end.

But I agree, if Embiid's healthy and Philly makes it to the ECF. I'll stand with Philly at that juncture.

Before the playoffs I gave the edge to the Cavs. But unless they start getting a LOT more from JR Smith, Hill, and at least one of Hood/Clarkson step up, I think the Raptors are going to really abuse the Cavs especially when Lebron is not on the court.

 

[bksballer89]

Before the playoffs I gave the edge to the Cavs. But unless they start getting a LOT more from JR Smith, Hill, and at least one of Hood/Clarkson step up, I think the Raptors are going to really abuse the Cavs especially when Lebron is not on the court.

You do know Toronto is terrified of Cleveland?

 

[Wamu]

Fair enough.

Why do you think Lue has Tristan's ass velcroed to the bench?

Because Klowhee cut his balls off?

 

[gordontrue]

Fair enough.

Why do you think Lue has Tristan's ass velcroed to the bench?

Cavs need all the spacing they get against the Pacers tempo-slowing half-court defense.

Even against other matchups though, Nance can do everything he can do (hustle, energy, offensive glass, switch defense)... except Nance is also capable of knocking down 10-15 foot jumpshots and is a better finisher.

 

[Heatles84]

You do know Toronto is terrified of Cleveland?

You spelled Lebron wrong.

 

[Wamu]

You spelled Lebron wrong.

I don't know what the hell LeBron is trying to do w/ what little hair he has left. He ain't foolin' anyone. I hope this summer he spends a dime or 2 on some of that hair replacement stuff & returns next year w/ a luxurious Dr. J type fro. That would be smoooove.

 

[Heatles84]

I don't know what the hell LeBron is trying to do w/ what little hair he has left. He ain't foolin' anyone. I hope this summer he spends a dime or 2 on some of that hair replacement stuff & returns next year w/ a luxurious Dr. J type fro. That would be smoooove.

I agree. Lebron should have his priorities in this order:

1) Hair replacement
2) Free agent destination

 

[Sgt Brutus]

Man leave Lebrons hairline alone!

 

[trojanfan12]

its just funny the same shit- different year---- no one having the balls to say the Cavs will lose--- but everyone trying their best to hedge to have an "i told you so" moment. Every year its the same.

lol @this tired nonsense.

It's not hedging to say that the Cavs don't look as good this year so they are likely to have a tougher road, but they still have the one player who can pretty much get any team to the finals. Hell, I can't think of another 4 seed that would have people expecting them to get to the finals.

You've said essentially the same thing, you just word it a little differently because you're a fan. You say Lebron has played great, but hasn't got much help and that a couple of the other guys are going to need to step up which you expect will happen.

Others are saying that Lebron is playing great and that if a couple of the other guys don't step up, the Cavs could lose.

Either way, it boils down to the same thing. Someone's gotta give Lebron at least a little help or the Cavs could be in trouble.

 

[trojanfan12]

thats the thing--- you are exactly right--- if the Pacers are just gonna keep single covering LeBron and sticking to all the shooters- LeBron is going to have to keep making them pay until the perimeter defense loosens up.

It's like the old Jordan Rules.

Do you concentrate on on slowing him and make everyone else beat you? Or do you concentrate on everyone else and make him beat you by himself?

 

[ATL96Steeler]

thats the thing--- you are exactly right--- if the Pacers are just gonna keep single covering LeBron and sticking to all the shooters- LeBron is going to have to keep making them pay until the perimeter defense loosens up.

I'm following this series more than any other right now and I'm not liking what I'm seeing from CLE...they were never really in game one imo. Last night the Cavs played better DEF, but IND shot better from the floor and 46 from LJ was barely good enough at home. I agree with LJ they were "lucky" that open 3 didn't drop.

If LeBron doesn't get more help, IND could win this series.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

lol @this tired nonsense.

It's not hedging to say that the Cavs don't look as good this year so they are likely to have a tougher road, but they still have the one player who can pretty much get any team to the finals. Hell, I can't think of another 4 seed that would have people expecting them to get to the finals.

You've said essentially the same thing, you just word it a little differently because you're a fan. You say Lebron has played great, but hasn't got much help and that a couple of the other guys are going to need to step up which you expect will happen.

Others are saying that Lebron is playing great and that if a couple of the other guys don't step up, the Cavs could lose.

Either way, it boils down to the same thing. Someone's gotta give Lebron at least a little help or the Cavs could be in trouble.

CLE is in trouble. Love needs to shake off the hand injury because I don't see enough scoring otherwise.

 

[Sgt Brutus]

CLE is in trouble. Love needs to shake off the hand injury because I don't see enough scoring otherwise.

East is soft, they'll be fine