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) /

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 8: Kevin Love /

Power Forward Matchup: Thaddeus Young v Kevin Love

Kevin Love is criminally underrated. I think the phrase “criminally underrated” is overused, but it is applicable here. Kevin Love is really, really good. And if you don’t think so, you are a criminal. You should receive a small fine. Learn more about basketball.

But you know who else is really good at basketball? Thaddeus Young. Last season, in the Cavaliers-Pacers series, Young matched up with LeBron on defense. That might be the case again this year. Young becomes bounds more important if he is locked in on James, and he has shown that he can hang with the best recently. He has done well containing Giannis Antetokounmpo and other stars when called upon to do so. He’s up for the task.

However, that could (read: will) take away from Young’s energy on offense. And it will also matchup either Myles Turner or Bojan on Kevin Love, which opens up some options for Love on offense.

Thad is great and will be important in this series. But Kevin Love is just better.

Advantage: Cavaliers.

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