After the game, he seemed very much like a man who is exhausted of toiling away on a middling team. "They're still going to do what they do".
The best-of-seven series now heads to Indianapolis on Thursday for Game 3.
The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Indiana Pacers once again, 117-111, on Monday, April 17 (Tuesday, Manila time).
CHUMPS? Why are the reigning National Basketball Association champions looking like chumps despite a 2-0 lead over Indiana? Seraphin was called for an offensive foul.
The battle in the paint between Tristan Thompson and Myles Turner was basically a draw, but the sophomore center was stifled by Cleveland's big man and limited on the boards.
The only score that matters is 2-0. As a team, the Cavaliers shot a sizzling 55 percent from the field and 13 of 31 from the three-point line as they led by as many as 19 points late in the third quarter before taking their foot off the gas in the fourth quarter.
Before the start of the first-round series with the Pacers, Cavaliers small forward LeBron James spoke of playing with confidence, and that is exactly what he has done through the first two games. At some point in the playoffs, the team will find its groove and make its way through the East to meet the Warriors in the Finals. "We're right there on turning the switch on what we really can become", James said. "So, next game we'll figure it out". Like in Game 1 the Pacers fell behind early and only made the game close thanks to a strong fourth quarter performance. "And I think we're right there on the cusp of doing that".
James added 10 rebounds and seven assists while winning his 19th straight first-round game.
Jason Strother: South Korea worried US will strike first
Meanwhile, China made a plea for a return to negotiations. "But dialogue for the sake of having dialogue is meaningless". This missile launch comes at a bad time as tension on the Korean Peninsula has consistently been rising.
Looking past the smoke and mirrors, Cleveland allowed IN to shoot 52% from the field and 40% from the three-point line - numbers expected from the league's ninth-worst defense. In fact, the total margin in those 3 games is just 12 points; and one of those was a double overtime thriller.
For Indiana, George led the way with 32 points while Jeff Teague weighed in with 23 points and Thaddeus Young 16. The Cavaliers starting guard spent the entire second half of Game 2 on the bench and doesn't want to be there again if he can help it.
Irving ended the period by draining a 3-pointer over Stephenson and the All-Star made sure Indiana's antagonizing guard knew about it, yapping in his direction long after the horn sounded. "And that was big".
The Pacers regrouped, ripped off 13 straight points and were down 113-109 after George hit a three-pointer with 20 seconds left. George and company look to defend home court and earn at least one more trip back to Cleveland, while the Cavs hope to get even closer to the level LeBron believes his team can reach.
"That's the reason we're in the position we're in", Harden said. "I never do. Sometimes players just say things differently than coaches", George said. Every point in the game we know we've got a chance to come back.
George, sounding nearly like the coach of the Pacers rather than a player, said Stephenson needs to control his emotions and keep his head in the game.
George was upset that the fiery Stephenson briefly lost his composure. "Lance, in our locker room, is looked upon as a leader". He has played way too many minutes this season (and eventually that will catch up to him), and the set of role players this season just isn't the same as last year's championship team. Pacers G Lance Stephenson worked out for the Cavs in January.
The Pacers appeared to get the ball back after two Cleveland misses, but the referees overturned their call upon review.
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