Pacers vs Cavaliers: New Team, Same LeBron

Indiana Pacers (7-9) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (7-7)

They’ve struggle so far in a fight for a winning record, but their collection of players are still getting used to playing with each other.

That could have been the narrative for both the Indiana Pacers and Cleveland Cavaliers in November but for entirely different reasons. While Indiana’s roster has fought the injury bug, Cleveland is still working to get everyone on the same page as the additions of Lebron James and Kevin Love have vastly improved the Cavaliers, but there have been growing pains. Just like when LeBron went to Miami with Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade, there were the natural issues of coming together as a team and players learning to play with each other. It won’t be any different in Cleveland, and this team is just as talented, if not more, than those Heat teams what were a thorn in the Pacers side for the past three seasons.

In the past through the Pacers had Paul George to help slow down LBJ, but that isn’t an option tonight. On top of that, Roy Hibbert is listed as doubtful. It is hard enough to defend LeBron without one of those players, but missing both in this matchup will probably not end well for Indiana. The return of West and C.J. Watson against the Magic went well as West debuted with 18 points and Watson scored nine while Rodney Stuckey scored a his season-high 24 points paired with West.  West vs Kevin Love should be good theater in Cleveland tonight. In the past Love has been the winner of the matchup as far as points and most stats goes, while having a 2-1 record playing West since he became a Pacer. Cleveland cannot defend the rim very well so any interior offense by the Pacers needs leveraged to their advantage. Ian Mahinmi is a strong defender, but Indiana needs points down there and you can’t count on him to offer that night in and night out.

Who to watch on the Cavaliers:  LeBron James doesn’t have Paul George guarding him and will miss the challenge of going against him. On top of that if Roy Hibbert is out and isn’t the one guarding the rim, you have to worry how the Pacers will try to stop James without their two best defenders.

Who to watch on the Pacers: David West has to do more this year for Indiana than he did in the past as he’s was the second leading scorer on the Pacers in 2013-14. We’ll have to see how he adjusts to a higher usage rate as the team leader this season and tonight will be another good test for him.

The Big Question

Is Indiana really good enough to keep up? The Cavaliers team in the last two games is averaging 109.5 points on 51.6% shooting while holding opponents 80.5 points on 41.1% shooting. One of those teams was the Orlando Magic, so that’s not too impressive, but getting the win over the Washington Wizards is a bit more impressive.

I like what I’ve seen and I think we may have been too harsh on predictions with all of the Pacers injuries, but they have to keep it going to convince me entirely that they will be better than expected.

Betting Line

Cleveland in a -9 home favorite and 195.5 over/under. With the way the Cavs have played of late I think you can assume that they’ll win and it cover the over, but I’d only take the Cavs if we know for sure that Hibbert isn’t playing as he’s one of the few players than consistently challenges LBJ at the rim.

Update: Hibbert is out tonight. So Cavs and the over.

One Random Thing

Hopefully Hibbert plays tonight, because it could be big for him and West to take advantage of the interior defense of the Cavaliers.