8p9s Roundtable: Can the Indiana Pacers Upset the Cleveland Cavaliers?
By Ben Gibson
The Cleveland Cavaliers struggled in March and are 2-4 since they beat the Pacers in double overtime recently. Will they be able to flip the switch against Indiana?
Padmore: I think the Cavaliers will flip the switch considering it’s playoff time. I still have them winning the East, but I would be lying if I said I wasn’t concerned about their recent struggles. They were below .500 after the All-Star break, and their defense was non-existent.
At the end of the day, LeBron James is LeBron James. Kyrie Irving is Kyrie Irving. The Pacers will have to work their tails off to win this series. With that being said, anything is possible in the NBA playoffs. Steal a game on the road, try to protect home court and go from there.
Washburn: Probably. Larry Bird only lost three playoff series against lower ranked teams (one when he was a rookie, and the other two were to eventual Conference Champions). Magic Johnson only lost twice to lower ranked teams (once to the Twin Towers in Houston, and once to a red-hot Kevin Johnson). Michael Jordan never lost to a lower ranked team in the playoffs.
The all-time greats know how to turn it on when they need to, and seldom lose to inferior teams. This year’s version of the LeBron’s is not as invincible as they seemed in December, the king is the king until he’s dead, and LeBron ain’t dead yet. — Jon Washburn
The all-time greats know how to turn it on when they need to, and seldom lose to inferior teams. This year’s version of the LeBron’s is not as invincible as they seemed in December, the king is the king until he’s dead, and LeBron ain’t dead yet.
Parrish: You can never question the talent the Cavs have, and LeBron in the playoffs is a nightmare for opponents. The Cavs will likely step it up in the playoffs and get back to where we know they can be.
Furr: Yes. In my mind, the answer to this question will always be yes until we see a playoffs where LeBron can’t.
Hankins: Playoff LeBron will show up, but his team will continue to flounder and the King will be upset and probably sound off again, as the series is closer than anticipated.
Kaspar: Yes, simply because LeBron James is an alien who was put on this earth to destroy dreams and win championships. James has not lost an opening round playoff game since 2013 and I am certain that every single player in the Cavs’ locker room is acutely aware of this.
Barth: Absolutely – they’ll flip the switch in the first 2 minutes of Game 1. The crowd, the energy in the building and their history of winning big playoff games will all push them to new heights.
Neal: Yes, to an extent. Their defense has been really bad since the All-Star break, 29th in defensive efficiency. That’s not a small sample size. I expect their defense to be a bit better than that, but the Pacers have enough weapons (if the right lineups are played together) to give the Cavs’ defense problems.
Searle: Sort-of. Their defense is a real issue, and they don’t have the personnel to truly recover. But, the Cavs are locks honestly. Expect the offense to be awe inspiring in stretches.
Eggers: No question. This March/April happens every year, and LeBron flips the switch in the playoffs every year. I won’t believe the contrary until I see it.
Hughes: The idiot in me (which has a very strong presence) has the Pacers upsetting these reeling Cavaliers, but that obviously isn’t happening. LeBron James in the playoffs is a different animal, and he’s never lost a Round 1 series. A Paul George-led crew that is hot may be one of his tougher first round foes, but Cleveland shouldn’t have too many issues getting past the Pacers.