3 Keys for The Pacers to Take the Series Back to Cleveland
By William Furr
The Indiana Pacers head home winless — can they stem the tide and get back into this series with the Cleveland Cavaliers?
The Indiana Pacers head back to Indiana down two games to none to the defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers, and you’ll hear all manners of cliches about how “their backs are against the wall” or “they’re trying to claw their way back into the series.
The inherent value in these is that they’re essentially true, but they belie how close these games actually were. The score of the series sits at 226-219 in Cleveland’s favor, but the Pacers are a tidy +19 in the 4th in the two games.
The Cavs are definitely winning the series, but the Pacers have a real shot at taking a game or two in Indy.
3 Keys For Taking the Series Back to Cleveland
Keep Paul George cooking
. PG is averaging 30.5 points, shooting 48.7% from the field and 55.6% from deep while facing a never-ending stream of Cleveland double teams.
He’s leading the team in assists at 7 per game, and is tied for the top spot in rebounding at 6.5. Cleveland hasn’t had an answer for PG outside of the double team, and he gives the Pacers a legitimate chance in nearly any game.
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As long as he’s playing alongside PG, the Cavs have someone to help off of. LeBron has spent time on Ellis to rest while J.R. Smith checks PG, and LeBron is at his most dangerous when he can help and read passing lanes for easy steals. While ultimately I believe the team is best with C.J. Miles playing alongside Teague/George/Young/Turner, it might make more sense to elevate Glenn Robinson III.
Lance Stephenson and C.J. Miles seem to have formed some chemistry with the 2nd unit, and GRIII has quite a bit of experience playing with the starters. Game 2 was the first time that GRob and Lance have both been active for a game. It must be time for the Monarch of the Glenn.
The Pacers would be well served to get Turner involved in some pick and pop action early on. It’s a familiar set for him, and one where he should have the advantage on Tristan Thompson. Running plays specifically for him early on should (hopefully) help him find some of his confidence and aggressiveness on offense. When he’s a threat — especially when he hits a 3 or two — dimensions start opening up for the Pacers squad.
The odds are far and away in Cleveland’s favor, and it would take a huge swing and a truly improbable comeback for the Pacers to take the series, but they can take it one game at a time.
They were atrocious on the road this season – an ugly 13-28 – and Cleveland was an exceptional 31-10. The series returns to Indy now, where the Pacers are 29-12. Cleveland has a losing record away from Quicken Loans arena, at just 20-21.
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This could all be meaningless in the end. After all, LeBron James is still LeBron James. Kyrie Irving is still one of the best scorers alive. Kevin Love can still be a dominant offensive player and rebounder. The big 3 still stands squarely in the Pacers way, but the series is far from over.