Pacers vs. Cavs: Who wins, how many games, and why?
Furr: Cavs in 6. LeBron James is still LeBron James. Until someone knocks him out, it’s hard to pick against him. This Pacers team has been good, occasionally very good, but I think playoff LeBron is too much for the combination of Bojan Bogdanovic/Glenn Robinson III/Thad Young to handle. Having the best player on the court means everything in the playoffs.
Matthes: I think this series is a toss. Indy could win it in 6. I really do. But I could also see a series like the one Indy had against Chicago in 2012 where it was an incredibly close 5 game win for the Bulls, but in this case the Cavs. I think every game will be a dogfight, at least they will be if both teams show up, and I know the Pacers will be ready for every game. I say all that to say this: I’m going…what the hell, Pacers in 6. But as I said just a minute ago, this series could go any way.
Hughes: Cavaliers, seven games. This just seems like a year where weird things will happen, because weird things have already happened! Not weird enough for the Pacers to take the series, unfortunately, but Indiana’s good enough to give LeBron an immense challenge. LeBron hasn’t seen a challenge in the first round in a long time, but this year will be different.
East: Cavaliers in 5 games. It sucks to say, but the Cavs are just better. They have improved quite a lot from the team that the Pacers beat three times this season, and until I’m proven wrong, LeBron gets the benefit of the doubt in any Eastern Conference playoff series. He’s too good.
Gibson: Pacers in 7. Because why the hell not?
Bonus! Who takes Game 1 in Cleveland on Sunday? Score prediction?
Furr: Cleveland, 109-101.
Matthes: Pacers in a squeaker: Indiana 103 Cleveland 101. With the Cavs missing the last shot.
Hughes: Indiana has a huge chip on its shoulder, and LeBron isn’t afraid to lose a Game 1. I think the Pacers will go into the Q and steal one off them—115-110—which will surely get Pacers fans ahead of themselves and making Finals proclamations.
Next: Victor Oladipo for MIP or we riot
East: Cavs 110-98
Gibson: Pacers 111, Cavaliers 108