The Cleveland Cavaliers were the wire-to-wire No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, and their first-round series against Miami proved how potent they can be.
Cleveland dominated the Heat in its sweep, giving the Cavs some extra rest headed into the conference semifinals.
The No. 4 Indiana Pacers, however, were also able to handle their opponent, the Milwaukee Bucks, with relative ease. The Pacers won the series in five games, including a thrilling Game 5 in which they overcame a seven-point deficit in the final 40 seconds of overtime.
Here’s everything you need to know about the second-round series between the No. 4 Indiana Pacers and No. 1 Cleveland Cavaliers:
Indiana Pacers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers most important players to watch
Indiana Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton: The NBA’s leader in assist-to-turnover ratio (5.61), Haliburton can often defer a little too much to his teammates. And there are certainly matchups when it works for him to use the attention he draws against his opponents. In the first round against the Bucks, he put up 13, 11 and 11 attempts in Games 1, 3 and 4, respectively; against Cleveland’s potent offense, Haliburton may need to take more shots.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell: With the status of point guard Darius Garland (toe sprain) still in question, Mitchell becomes even more important. Against the Heat, Mitchell’s services weren’t heavily required in blowouts in Games 3 and 4, but he dropped 30 in each of Games 1 and 2. His ability to score inside and out should stress Indiana’s defense, though expect the Pacers to put shifty guard Andrew Nembhard or Aaron Nesmith on Mitchell.
Indiana Pacers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers preview
How the Pacers will win: Indiana, which tied for 27th in the regular season in rebounds per game (41.8) will need to be much better on the glass against a Cavs team that can collect boards with ease behind center Jarrett Allen and power forward Evan Mobley, the league’s Defensive Player of the Year.
How the Cavaliers will win: If Cleveland maintains the defensive intensity with which it shut down the Heat in the first round, the Cavs become a very difficult out. Their offense is versatile, quick-paced and gets contributions from various sources. Ty Jerome and De’Andre Hunter, for example, are a pair of bench players who are capable of popping off.
Indiana Pacers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers stat
In its first-round demolition of the Heat, Cleveland’s overall points differential of +122 across the four games set a record for most lopsided series in NBA playoff history.
Indiana Pacers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers predictions
Lorenzo Reyes: Cavaliers in 6
Heather Tucker: Cavaliers in 6
James Williams: Cavaliers in 6
Jeff Zillgitt: Cavaliers in 5
Indiana Pacers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers schedule
Game 1: Pacers at Cavaliers | Sunday, May 4, 6 p.m. | TNT
Game 2: Pacers at Cavaliers | Tuesday, May 6, 7 p.m. | TNT
Game 3: Cavaliers at Pacers | Friday, May 9, 7:30 p.m. | ESPN
Game 4: Cavaliers at Pacers | Sunday May 11, 8 p.m. | TNT
Game 5: Pacers at Cavaliers | Tuesday, May 13, TBA | TNT*
Game 6: Cavaliers at Pacers | Thursday, May 15, TBA | ESPN*
Game 7: Pacers at Cavaliers | Sunday, May 18, TBA | TBA*
All times Eastern. *-if necessary
Indiana Pacers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers season series
The Pacers won the regular-season series against the Cavaliers, taking three of four games.
Jan. 12: Pacers 108, Cavaliers 93
Jan. 14: Cavaliers 127, Pacers 117
April 10: Pacers 114, Cavaliers 112
April 13: Pacers 126, Cavaliers 118 (OT)
