The Cleveland Cavaliers haven’t been able to keep up with the Indiana Pacers.
That was never the plan, as the Pacers run the fastest tempo in the game.
However, the Cavs have failed to take the game to their own turf, and a situation where they feel more comfortable.
Notably, that’s why Terry Pluto of Cleveland.com believes the only way the Cavs can take care of business in Game 5 is by being aggressive on the boards.
He thinks that rebounding will be crucial:
“This time, if Atkinson is to prove that he’s not defined by the failures of the past, it won’t be by overcoming a basketball titan. It will be by outwitting a well-coached, scrappy team. The Cavs need the man with the clipboard to meet the moment, to bend the chessboard in his direction,” Sands wrote. “Should Atkinson fail to find the right counters now, someone else will be writing the final chapter — and it won’t be in Cleveland ink.”
This may sound simple, but sometimes, the game of basketball is actually quite simple.
The Cavaliers need to slow down the pace, limit second-chance opportunities, and make sure to get good looks at the rim.
They were one defensive rebound away from winning Game 2.
Rick Carlisle’s team has been hungrier and more aggressive from start to finish, and they play with the confidence and swagger of a team that knows they don’t have anything to lose.
The Pacers are playing with house money at this point.
They will obviously look to close things out in Game 5 and prevent this series from extending any further, but, unlike the Cavaliers, they have some wiggle room and margin for error.
Winning the physical and mental battle can give the Cavs a much-needed edge.
If they force Game 6, the Pacers will be under pressure to win and close the series out to prevent a major collapse.
The Cavs have to take it one game at a time and make a statement on Tuesday night.
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