The Cleveland Cavaliers didn’t find much trouble rolling past the Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs.
Now, things will get much tougher when they square off with the Indiana Pacers.
The Pacers’ offense is much more efficient, and their big man combination could pose a major challenge for Kenny Atkinson’s defense.
Notably, that’s why Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com believes that De’Andre Hunter might be this team’s X-Factor in the series:
“This 1-4 matchup features plenty of firepower. The Cavs rank No. 1 in offensive efficiency in the postseason. They did not score fewer than 121 points in any of their four first-round games. The up-tempo Pacers boast the second-best offense. Can either team find success on defense?” Fedor wrote. “That makes the reliable, 6-foot-8 [De’Andre] Hunter an X-factor.”
Hunter can score from all three levels.
He’s an efficient three-point shooter and a solid floor spacer who can also find the open man when he has the ball in his hands.
He’s tall and long enough to pull up and shoot over almost every player in the league.
Likewise, he’s also an outstanding defender who doesn’t make a lot of mistakes or get into foul trouble, and he happens to be the same height as Pascal Siakam.
Jarrett Allen might find a tough time getting on the court in this series, as he’s not at his best when he’s driven out of the restricted area and into the perimeter.
Using Hunter will mean giving up size, and the Cavs will have to adjust accordingly, but they used that lineup to close out games multiple times throughout the season.
Of course, that will only help if he’s able to knock down shots and keep the pace going.
This is why they traded for him, and he will have to prove he was worth the investment.
NEXT: Tyrese Haliburton Fired Up for Showdown with Cavaliers
