The Cavaliers are facing two opponents in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. The James-George matchup will attract TV cameras and likely set the tone for the series.
For all of his heroics throughout the season, George was not only surprised the Cavs trapped him so early, but he was more surprised that he never saw the ball again in the game's final seconds. The Pacers ended their season at 42-40, which was good enough to get them a first round meeting with LeBron and the Cavs.
CLEVELAND - LeBron James said that the Cleveland Cavaliers' meager one-point margin of victory in Game 1 didn't bother him, so long as the Cavs got the win.
The Cavaliers also shot just 14-of-27 from the foul line, which included misses by James and J.R. Smith inside of one minute that almost came back to haunt them.
The Cavaliers ran one of their favorite actions: a 3-1 pick-and-roll with LeBron James and Kyrie Irving.
The Cavaliers' defense struggled as they allowed IN to shoot 49.4% from the field, but they made the most important stop of the game when it counted. This set forces a switch nearly every time, as there's no way to contain both James and Irving without doing so.
In the coming games, IN needs to recognize and counter the Irving-James pick and roll more effectively early on. Just understanding the moment, what it entails and going forward. If Teague does end up isolated on James, Myles Turner, Thad Young, or more simply, whoever is guarding Tristan Thompson at the time should bring help quicker.
"I thought we lost our composure and got frantic out there", McMillan said of his team's third-quarter meltdown.
It is hard not to take the Pacers and the 7.5 points tonight.
George's reputation as a "LeBron stopper" has always been a bit of a misconception. Lue doesn't anticipate the minutes catching up to James, but that remains an unknown. The coaching staff has to do better - and, frankly, so does George.
Chelsea not on form but 'not getting nervy,' says Asmir Begovic
Begovic maintained that Chelsea were still in a good position and urged his team to focus on themselves instead of Tottenham. Additionally, their one shot in the first half was the lowest they had mustered in a first 45 minutes this season.
"If you're the best player on the floor, that doesn't mean you have to take the shot", James said.
San Antonio, the only higher seed that won easily Saturday, goes for a 2-0 lead against Memphis in the other game on Monday's schedule. That's led to James adjusting both his free-throw stance and regular routine just in time for the playoffs.
James also accounted for eight of the Wine and Gold's 19 turnovers on Monday night. It felt as if that were the moment the Cavs' playoffs really began, the moment that would set the tone for their defense of the National Basketball Association title.
(Credit reddit user 33bour for the Streamable). They are a dismal 1-10 overall in game ones.
The Pacers regrouped, ripped off 13 straight points and were within 113-109 when George hit a 3-pointer with 20 seconds left. Miles received it with 4.7 to go. Cue Indiana inbounding to George on an isolation. "Everybody in the gym knows that, everybody sitting on their couch at home knows that, Paul knows that, so they double teamed".
Now, the Pacers should be fine with a Paul George isolation play to close a game, but a timeout quite frankly isn't needed in that situation.
James refused to allow himself to consider the consequences if Miles, a notorious "Cavs killer" who has had several big games against his former team, had knocked down his shot. This season, both the Cavaliers and the Warriors are favored to return to the Finals, which would be the first time in National Basketball Association finals history that two teams have faced each other in the Finals for three consecutive years. Finally, George should have immediately cut inside after his pass to try and get a look at a last-second layup attempt instead of rolling around the double team and trying for a trailing three.
Teague injured his right wrist in the second half and coach Nate McMillan said the starting guard will undergo X-rays.
Now, they're heading home in a hole they still believe they can climb from.
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