Pacers potential playoff opponents preview: Cleveland Cavaliers

By Tony East | Apr 6, 2018

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 08: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers dribbles the ball while defended by Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on December 8, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

2 of 9

Darren Collison LeBron James Pacers Cavaliers

CLEVELAND, OH – NOVEMBER 01: Darren Collison /

Point guard matchup: Darren Collison v George Hill

Extreme bias alert. I love NBA players from Indianapolis. Ipso Facto, I love George Hill.

Hill may be a perfect fit next to LeBron James. Pacers fans know how great of a defender he can be, and he is completely wet from three-point range. Indiana fans clamored that he was more of a shooting guard than a point guard, and next to LeBron he can be that type of player. He guards the other teams best guard on D while being a spot-up sniper on offense. All the while, James handles the ball-handling duties.

Because of his excellent fit, he may be more impactful than Collison in this series. But this season, he has not been the better player. Even though Hill is a great shooter from downtown, he is four percent below Collison from long-range on the year. He turns it over more than DC. He is less crisp and smooth. Collison is just a more talented player.

So in actually this one is hard to say. Better talent or better fit? I can’t decide, and I can’t find anything to ding George Hill for. Let’s call it a wash.

Advantage: Nobody.

Home/Pacers News