PREMIUM
Rogers' TOP Conference TOTALS TICKET >> HUGE O/U PLAY!
(NBA) Indiana vs. Cleveland,
Total: 209.00 | -105.00 Under
Result: Loss
Total: 209.00 | -105.00 Under
Result: Loss
The set-up: LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers have had two full days off to ponder what happened in Game 1 of their series with the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers held the Cavs to just 80 points (on 38.5% shooting, including 8-of-34 from three-point range) in winning the first of this seven-games series by 18 points. It was LBJ's first-ever loss in an Opening Round Game 1 (his teams had been 12-0!) and the defeat ended a remarkable run of 21 consecutive first round wins by James-led teams. Cleveland was down 25-8 in the first quarter on Sunday before James attempted his first field goal, Love scored a total of just nine points and Jeff Green was shut out in 27 minutes. All-Star guard Victor Oladipo scored a game-high 32 points on 11-of-19 shoting on Sunday and keyed the defensive effort with four steals. The Pacers dominated on both ends of the floor in the 98-80 Game 1 victory and will take the court tonight looking to prevent the Cavs from evening this Eastern Conference series at one win apiece.
Indiana: Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis were the key players the Pacers received from the Thunder in the Paul George deal. Oladipo has been terrific (21.3-5.2-4.3) and in about 24 1/2 minutes per game, Sabonis has averaged 11.6 & 7.7 on the season. Indiana was swept in the first round of the playoffs by the Cavaliers last spring (with George!) but the Pacers are a different (better?) team this time around thanks to the presence of Oladipo and Sabonis, plus four other Pacers who average in double digits with Stephenson (9.2 & 5.2) and Joseph (7.9) also being regular contributors. In fact, the Pacers got a big boost from reserve swingman Lance Stephenson, who embraced the challenge of guarding James and added 12 points in 17 minutes off the bench. The Pacers forced the Cavs into 17 turnovers and starting center Myles Turner scored 16 points and grabbed eight rebounds.
Cleveland: James recorded his 20th career postseason triple-double on Sunday (24-10-12), second all-time behind Magic Johnson (30). However, he was clearly passive for the first 11 minutes. James is coming off arguably his finest of 15 pro seasons as he averaged career highs in rebounds (8.6) and assists (9.1) while adding 27.5 points on 54.2 percent shooting. Kevin Love did grab 17 rebounds but finished with just those nine points on 3-of-8 shooting. Not including LBJ, Cleveland's other four starters shot just 10 of 30 from the floor to contribute a modest 25 points.
The pick: Head coach Tyronn Lue needs the "real LeBron" to show up in Game 1. "When he sets the tone early for us, we're usually a really good team," Lue said. "So coming out, set the tone early, be able to call plays that feature him early to be aggressive. He's always going to make the right play and the right pass, get others involved, but in Game 2 we're going to need him to set the tone early, being aggressive and attacking the basket." Why would anyone expect anything different? The problem is, the Cavs are a poor defensive team, allowing 109.9 PPG (26th) on 47.4% shooting (28th). Make the Over an 8* play.
Indiana: Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis were the key players the Pacers received from the Thunder in the Paul George deal. Oladipo has been terrific (21.3-5.2-4.3) and in about 24 1/2 minutes per game, Sabonis has averaged 11.6 & 7.7 on the season. Indiana was swept in the first round of the playoffs by the Cavaliers last spring (with George!) but the Pacers are a different (better?) team this time around thanks to the presence of Oladipo and Sabonis, plus four other Pacers who average in double digits with Stephenson (9.2 & 5.2) and Joseph (7.9) also being regular contributors. In fact, the Pacers got a big boost from reserve swingman Lance Stephenson, who embraced the challenge of guarding James and added 12 points in 17 minutes off the bench. The Pacers forced the Cavs into 17 turnovers and starting center Myles Turner scored 16 points and grabbed eight rebounds.
Cleveland: James recorded his 20th career postseason triple-double on Sunday (24-10-12), second all-time behind Magic Johnson (30). However, he was clearly passive for the first 11 minutes. James is coming off arguably his finest of 15 pro seasons as he averaged career highs in rebounds (8.6) and assists (9.1) while adding 27.5 points on 54.2 percent shooting. Kevin Love did grab 17 rebounds but finished with just those nine points on 3-of-8 shooting. Not including LBJ, Cleveland's other four starters shot just 10 of 30 from the floor to contribute a modest 25 points.
The pick: Head coach Tyronn Lue needs the "real LeBron" to show up in Game 1. "When he sets the tone early for us, we're usually a really good team," Lue said. "So coming out, set the tone early, be able to call plays that feature him early to be aggressive. He's always going to make the right play and the right pass, get others involved, but in Game 2 we're going to need him to set the tone early, being aggressive and attacking the basket." Why would anyone expect anything different? The problem is, the Cavs are a poor defensive team, allowing 109.9 PPG (26th) on 47.4% shooting (28th). Make the Over an 8* play.
