The Cleveland Cavaliers shot 23.7 percent from 3-point territory in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
They allowed the Indiana Pacers to shoot 53.0 percent from the floor and 52.8 percent from deep, and the Pacers were 14-of-15 from the line.
However, as poorly as the Cavs shot and as outhustled as they were on both ends of the floor, the game was still relatively close throughout.
Notably, that’s why hosts Ken Carman and Anthony Lima are urging the Cavs to bring their A-game and bring the intensity up in Game 2, via 92.3 The Fan.
“Can’t shoot the three-ball like that and expect to win. Can’t get outpaced like that … can’t get out-physical(ed) like that and expect to win. I think it was kind of a punch in the face,” Carman said.
“Can’t shoot the three-ball like that and expect to win. Can’t get outpaced like that…can’t get out-physical(ed) like that and expect to win. I think it was kind of a punch in the face”
🎙️ @KenCarman & @SportsBoyTony on #Cavs Game 1 loss 🏀⤵️
🔊 Listen: https://t.co/PX9jBofEis pic.twitter.com/4BvJfIFys9
— 92.3 The Fan (@923TheFan) May 5, 2025
The game plan seemed to be about manhandling the Pacers in the paint, and the Cavs scored 70 points in close.
That was almost twice as many as the Pacers (38), but Rick Carlisle’s team kept trading 2s for 3s.
The Cavs have shown what they are capable of when they get their shots to fall, and they’re a solid 3-point shooting team with many options.
Even without an efficient shooter like Darius Garland available, they still have Donovan Mitchell, De’Andre Hunter, Max Strus and Sam Merrill, all reliable 3-point shooters.
Evan Mobley and Isaac Okoro have taken big steps in that regard.
The Cavs need to match the Pacers’ speed, and that will be a challenge.
But even in a game when everything that could’ve gone wrong went wrong for the Cavs, the Pacers never led by more than 12 points.
NEXT: Donovan Mitchell Made Notable Playoff History On Sunday
