It was another too-close-for-comfort win for the Cavaliers in Game 2, beating the Pacers 117-111 to take a 2-0 series lead in this first round matchup.
James was instrumental as usual for the Cavs in that game. James was all-around the floor, posting 25 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, four steals, and four blocks. He did get some help from his fellow stars Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving, who contributed 25 and 35 points, respectively.
The Cavs’ unit of second scoring options took a hit though with J.R. Smith exiting Game 2 with a hamstring injury. The extent of his injury and his availability for Game 4 are still unknowns but in case he misses Thursday’s game, expect Kyle Korver or Deron Williams to get a bump in minutes. Korver scored just two points in Game 2 while Williams chipped in nine points on 3-for-9 shooting from long distance.
Despite the two wins over the Pacers, Cleveland has some issues to fix before it becomes a full-blown problem. For one, the Cavs have to take better care of the leather. They’ve turned the ball over 11 times in Game 1 and had a whopping 19 turnovers in Game 2.
James and company head to Indiana having gone 2-1 ATS in their last three road games.
George had his 32 points on 10-for-20 shooting wasted in the loss and so was Jeff Teague’s 23 points. George has been the steadiest figure on the Pacers side that has managed to get easy buckets off Cleveland’s turnovers. In Game 2, the Pacers scored 24 points off the Cavs’ miscues. They outscored Cleveland too on the fastbreak, 14-2.
George is averaging 30.2 points thus far this series, while Teague’s performance in Game 2 was a welcome sight following a 15-point night in the opener.
The Cavs’ apparent penchant for melting in the fourth period is also something he Pacers should capitalize on. Indiana has scored more points than the Cavs in the final period of each of the first two games of this series.
Cleveland hasn’t been the most trustworthy to bet on when it’s the favorite. After failing to cover the nine-point spread as the chalks, the Cavs are now 0-4 ATS in their last four games as faves, meaning Indiana’s loss in Game 3 shouldn’t discourage bettors from laying money on the Pacers. In addition, the Pacers are 8-2 ATS in Cleveland’s last 10 visits to Indiana.
