The Indiana Pacers took the series lead back after coming from behind to win Game 3 over the Cleveland Cavaliers, 92-90. Now up 2-1 in the series, can the Pacers make it 3-1 this Sunday? Or will the Cavs tie it all up again? We bet (figuratively speaking) Lebron never thought his squad would be going into a first round playoff game as underdogs (+1). Read on for a preview of Game 4 of this thrilling playoff matchup.
What now for Cleveland? The Cavs were looking like they were on their way to a victory in Game 3 when they repeatedly erected double-digit leads against Indiana but failed to close out in the fourth quarter. In the final period, the Pacers outscored Cleveland, 29-21. In anything, LeBron James finally received some significant help from George Hill, who had 13 points. Still, the Cavs need ample support from plenty others like Jordan Clarkson and Rodney Hood, who combined for only 10 points. As for James, he shot 10-for-22 from the field for 28 points to go with 12 rebounds in 42 minutes on the floor. James is averaging 32.7 points so far in this series.
The Cavs will now look to even the series again this Sunday, going into the night with a 3-1 ATS record over their last four road games.
No one should be doubting the Pacers in this series. With Bojan Bogdanovic assuming an unlikely lead role in Game 3, the Pacers were able to dig themselves out of a huge deficit and secure another victory to put themselves ahead of Cleveland in the series – again. Bogdanovic led the Pacers with 30 points on 11-for-15 shooting from the field with seven 3-pointers. He did while also trying to cover LeBron James in the game. Having said that, Victor Oladipo and Daren Collison will have to better the next time around after the two put together just 21 points. At this point, it’s clear that the Pacers could definitely find their way against Cleveland’s thin defense, so expect Indiana to keep picking their spots on offense. That being said, the need to stop playing from behind if they expect to walk way with the whole series.
The Pacers are now 5-1 ATS in their last six home games.
