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| (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) |
Indiana Pacers
Record: 7-9, eighth in the Eastern Conference
Offense: 98.6 offensive rating (26th)
Defense: 101.7 defensive rating (10th)
The Good
- ALL OF THE REBOUNDS. Seriously, the Pacers are really good at controlling the glass, ranking in the top five of every rebounding category. What makes them so good at this is the overall team effort they put towards rebounding. There is not one player that averages more than 10 per game, but have seven guys who average at least four per game. The Pacers use their rebounding advantage effectively on the offensive end, where they average 15.9 second chance points per game, second-best in the NBA. Their offense isn't great, but if you let them get second chance opportunities, they will take advantage.
- The Pacers have had one of the stingiest defenses in the league over the last few years, and this year is no different. Despite losing two of their three best defenders from last season, the one that remains has anchored this Pacers that currently has given up the fifth-fewest points per game in the NBA. Roy Hibbert, who saw some criticism in last year's playoffs, has looked like his All-Star from last year, specifically on the defensive end, where he averages 2.8 blocks per game (second in the NBA) and forces opponent's to shoot 38.6 percent when Hibbert is guarding them. Without Hibbert (who might not play tonight), the Pacers will be vulnerable in the paint, where the Cavaliers have been attacking as of late.
The Bad
- If the Cavaliers off-season was at the top of the mountain, the Pacers was below rock bottom. Losing Lance Stephenson was big, but when All-NBA forward Paul George broke his leg during a USA men's national team scrimmage in July, the Pacers immediately went from an Eastern Conference contender to a lottery team in the matter of seconds. Without George, who has been one of the best two-way players in the league, the Pacers lack any sort of an offense threat, which was already a struggle even with George in the line-up.
- Speaking off the Pacers offense, it is as bad as advertised. They rank 27th in points per game and 26th in field goal percentage, but that's just the beginning of how bad they are on that end. You won't see them setting up teammates well, ranking dead last in both assists per game and assist percentage. It doesn't matter how bad the Cavaliers defense has been (it's actually looked better as of late), they are still capable of stopping this stale Pacers offense.
The Match-up to Watch
Kyrie Irving vs. Donald Sloan
This won't be a match-up that headlines any media outlets, but it will be the one to watch for in this game. Sloan has been a surprise for Pacers this season, being the second player Indiana desperately needed after all their losses, filling in nicely for injured George Hill. He'll get the chance to face-off against the guy he backed up for almost two years in Cleveland, Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving. Could this be a Donald Sloan redemption game?
The Number
25
That's the number of points that LeBron needs to score if the Cavaliers want to win. When he scored more than that, the Cavaliers are 6-1. When he doesn't, Cleveland is 1-6. It's been stated that the Cavaliers go as far as LeBron James takes them, and this number only backs up that claim.
The Playlist
When thinking of music from Indiana, literally nothing comes to mind. Thankfully for the internet, I was reminded that Michael Jackson and the rest of the Jackson 5 were from Gary, Indiana. I normally like to use rap whenever I can for The Playlists, but it's hard to beat the King of Pop:
Why Cleveland will win
It shouldn't be hard to see why the Cavaliers should win this game. Their offense has been dynamite over the last two games, while their defense has gotten progressively better. The Cavaliers defense should benefit from playing a bottom-ranked Indiana offense, turning their turnovers into points and handily beating the Pacers.
Why Indiana will win
Donald Sloan redemption game! Seriously, don't have too many positive things going for them, but Sloan has been one of them. He put 29 points on the road against Dallas, and he could do that again depending on which Kyrie shows up on defense. Combine a great Sloan game with a prototypical defensive game from the rest of the Pacers, could steal one in Cleveland.
The Prediction
Cavaliers 109, Pacers 95
As good as the Pacers defense is, their offense is too big of an obstacle to overcome. Add the way the Cavaliers have been playing on both ends, I don't see the Pacers pulling off another road victory against a high-powered offense. It's gonna take a relapse in the Cavaliers defense and a bad showing from LeBron for Cleveland not to win their third straight.
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