8 points, 9 seconds
Fansided

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

By Jonathan Matthes

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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Lance Stephenson of the Indiana Pacers
Lance Stephenson of the Indiana Pacers /

The miscellaneous

1. The Pacers are by far the better defensive team, but that’s not what this brief section is specifically about. It’s about thievery. Since the All-Star break, Indiana averages slightly over 10 steals a game, first in the NBA. The Cavs, on the other hand, are sixth in the league in turnover percentage (the Pacers are 12th), meaning there aren’t many teams more sure-handed than the Cavs. One of these has to give, it better not be the Pacers.

2. All year long, the Pacers have been great at playing in close games. Indiana has won 64% of their close games, fifth in the league. That’s nice, however, the Cavs are third winning 67% of theirs. If this series is full of close games, Indy will have to keep their heads because they don’t have an outright advantage, but that hasn’t stopped Indy against the Cavs in the past.

3. Lance lancily lancing.

Next: Pacers need more spacing from Myles Turner

4. To close here’s a fun little tidbit. While the Indiana rotation is obvious (1: Collison, 2: Oladipo, 3: Bogdanovic, 4: Thad Young, 5: Turner, second unit: Joseph, Stephenson, Booker and Sabonis, tenth wheel: Robinson); the Cavs has been rather haphazard.

So, I combed through their recent boxscores and here’s their likely rotation: point guard: George Hill (27.4 average minutes played recently), shooting guard: Rodney Hood (27.3), small forward: LeBron James (38.1), power forward: Jeff Green (28.6), center: Kevin Love (30.4). Their two key reserves are: J.R. Smith (24.4) and Jordan Clarkson (22.8). Secondary reserves: Jose Calderon (19.3), Kyle Korver (17.8) and Larry Nance Jr. (17.5).

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