The Pacers can knock off the Cavaliers, but it won’t be easy

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)
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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Victor Oladipo of the Indiana Pacers LeBron James Cavaliers
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)

Just about everyone will write this series off as a Cleveland Cavalier victory over the Indiana Pacers. And maybe they’re right, Cleveland does have LeBron. But they are far from unbeatable. This is how the Pacers can do it.

On Sunday, the playoffs officially arrive. The Indiana Pacers and the Cleveland Cavaliers, Eastern Conference quarterfinals, game one.

Not exactly the easiest opponent for the Blue-and-Gold, is it? Cleveland is the thrice defending Conference champion. They have the greatest player in the world. And they have an offense, that when clicking, is a nightmare to defend. But, this series won’t be a cakewalk for the Cavs.

Indiana brings spunk talent and the onus to keep shocking the world.  It should be a tough, tough series for both teams. Don’t tell that to the majority of everyone who has already be penciling Cleveland into the Eastern Semis. I get that. I do.

But…

What if another improbable twist is added to a season full of them? How many of you, our dear readers, in August, though you’re be reading this article in April? The Pacers have shocked so far, dazzled even, and if they indeed want to keep shocking the world, this is what they need to do.