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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CLEVELAND, OH – JANUARY 26: Tyronn Lue coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers yells to his players during the first half against the Indiana Pacers at Quicken Loans Arena on January 26, 2018, in Cleveland, Ohio.(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Coaches: Nate McMillan v Tyronn Lue

Get your “LeBron is the head coach” jokes out of the way now.

Truly, the hardest job to analyze is LeBron’s head coach. How much are they actually doing well versus how much is just “let James do his thing and get out of the way”. As a result, Lue is seen as a lesser head coach.

He shouldn’t be. But Lue runs some solid plays that are full of flare screens and Horns sets. He’s a good coach, and he crafts his sets to fit the personnel he has on the floor better than most coaches.

But McMillan has been awesome this year. He always knows the right players to have on the court in the clutch, and his defensive scheme is working exceptionally well now that the whole roster has bought in. It will be hard to stop LeBron regardless, but the scheme is great.

Lue is better than the common notion. But it doesn’t matter. McMillan wins the matchup.

Advantage: Pacers.

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