Playoff Recap: Cavs 98, Pacers 95 (or, ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?!)
2018-04-26
When I was a kid, I’d ask my dad questions about what it was like to watch the great Jim Brown play football. Since things like the internet and Youtube didn’t exist, he’d do his best to explain before falling back on a simple yet profound two word description… greatness personified.
Those exact two words echoed through my brain as LeBron James added yet another incredible volume to his seemingly endless library of highlights and records, ending Game 5 against the Indiana Pacers with a resounding flourish. The comparisons began to flow almost instantaneously amongst pundits and admirers far and wide… from his own buzzer-beating dagger to end Game 2 of the 2009 Eastern Conference Finals against the Orlando Magic… to Michael Jordan’s heartbreaker in Game 5 of the 1989 Eastern Conference first round against the Cavaliers.
That’s because shots like these are remarkable. They are special. They are instantly historic in their own right.
Series like this one between the Cavs and Pacers are not always pretty to watch. They are low scoring, gritty and scrappy affairs, featuring long stretches of missed shots, turnovers and painful possessions. Yet, moments like the ones LeBron James delivered in the waning seconds of this particular contest generate a thrilling sense of wonder at being a witness to history playing out in real time. They will provide you with a story to share with generations to come when they ask you about what it was like to watch the great LeBron James play. And, if you don’t have whatever data chip or hologram of the footage that exists in that future timeframe handy… you too can simply respond with two words… greatness personified.
I feel fortunate to be able to wax semi-poetic about how this game turned out… because, for a while, it was yet another reminder of just how poorly the Cavs seem to treat leads these days. Aside from the first game where they were essentially blown out wire-to-wire, the wearers of the wine & gold (and sometimes black) have an innate knack for giving up big leads. Tonight’s wasn’t quite as large as say Game 3’s… but it was still as much as 12 points with two minutes left in the third quarter. But, the Pacers to their credit, never stop fighting, scratching and clawing their way back into games… and this one was no exception.
The Game
Despite having no George Hill for a second straight game (due to back soreness), the Cavs had a fairly decent start to the game defensively, forcing a Bojan Bogdanovic turnover and a missed Myles Turner jump shot. But, their lack of size inside led to a Thad Young offensive board and a Victor Oladipo layup. An early triple from Kyle Korver foreshadowed good things to come, but the Cavs went ice cold from the perimeter… especially JR Smith. Cleveland kept things relatively close by getting to the line, but the Pacers built a 10 point lead behind the inside work of Turner and Domantas Sabonis. That’s when LeBron started driving. James authored his own 8-0 run with four consecutive runs to the rim, sandwiched around a Rodney Hood block on Darren Collison and a pair of 24 second violations forced by the Cavs’ defense. Indy’s lead was cut to 25-23 at the end of one.
Ty Lue was able to milk more than four minutes of rest for LeBron out of the start of the second quarter, and did so with a lineup of Jordan Clarkson, Rodney Hood, Kevin Love, Jeff Green and Larry Nance Jr. This group held their own, and even notched a brief lead following Love’s only three of the game.
A certain something is in the air!#CavsPacers | #WhateverItTakes
STREAM: https://t.co/03XzF6ICnB pic.twitter.com/Xr67BpxC37
— Bally Sports Cincinnati (@BallySportsCIN) April 25, 2018
LeBron returned at about the 7:45 mark, but so did Oladipo for the Pacers. While Dipo had a rough shooting night (2-15, 1-7 from downtown), he did drain his lone three in the next stretch. And, even though he was hounded by JR Smith, he managed to get the ball to his big men in the pick and roll. The Pacers did most of their damage in the quarter (and really in the game) with their bigs, as Sabonis and Young abused the Cavs inside for easy buckets. Fortunately, LeBron kept driving for another six points to keep Indy within striking distance, 56-49 at the half.
Typically, the less said about the third quarters of Cavs games, the better… Except, this third quarter was different. In uncharacteristic fashion, the Cavaliers came out focused, engaged, aggressive and ready to take the fight to the Pacers. They hustled and swarmed on defense, forcing seven Indy turnovers in the period, and made smart passes that led to good shots on the other end. For the first seven minutes of the quarter, the Pacers mustered only four points on a Turner and one, and a Collison free throw. Meanwhile, the Cavs exploded for 21 points of their own to take a double digit lead.
Kevin ➡️ Kyle ➡️ LeBron ➡️ Jose ➡️ The Bottom!#CavsPacers | #WhateverItTakes
STREAM: https://t.co/03XzF6ICnB pic.twitter.com/f8BjaUDeTZ
— Bally Sports Cincinnati (@BallySportsCIN) April 26, 2018
They knocked down four triples in the frame (two each by Jose Calderon and Korver), all off of dimes from LeBron, and looked like they might just finally step on Indy’s neck. But, playing the entire quarter seemed to catch up to LBJ, as a missed jumper on one end led to a Lance Stephenson three at the buzzer. Cavs still led 81-73.
The Cavs instituted their prevent defense routine essentially from the start of the fourth quarter. LeBron stayed on the court (even though he looked clearly gassed) until Lue subbed Love in for him at the 9:30 mark. The rest only lasted two minutes, however, as the Pacers cut the lead down to four. An LBJ assisted Korver triple put the Cavs back in front by seven with 7:19 remaining… though, that would be their last field goal until LeBron’s dramatic final shot. Yes, that’s right… the Cavs went more than seven minutes without hitting a shot (0-7). Bron did manage to hit four more free throws to stay with the Pacers, and Indy also cooperated by missing some wide open looks and throwing the ball away several times on crucial possessions. But, after a couple of Young drives, Sabonis knotted the game at 95 on a mid-ranger with 33 seconds left.
The final 33 seconds of this game were borderline madness that should result in a fairly dubious two minute report for the officiating crew. First, there was a questionable turnover on the baseline by LeBron that gave the ball back to the Pacers with 26 seconds remaining. On replay, it was fairly obvious that Thad Young poked the ball away and it hit the line before James touched it again. Yet, there was no official review. Then, Indy ran down the clock before Oladipo streaked down the left side of the lane for what looked to be a certain go-ahead layup with three seconds left. Instead, LeBron chased him down, deleting the ball off the backboard (Iggy style)… only, on replay it sure looked like the ball nicked the glass just before James blocked it. However, the refs missed this in real time… no whistle was blown, and consequently, the play was not officially reviewable (much to Oladipo and the Pacers’ chagrin).
Thankfully, on this night, Ty Lue had not wasted all of his timeouts. So, with just three ticks on the clock, the Cavs were able to regroup and design a play (yeah, we know… get the ball to LeBron and get the hell out of the way). Green inbounded to LBJ… somehow, the Pacers allowed him to take two dribbles without using their remaining foul to give… and lightning struck as The King once again defended his throne as the best current player on the planet… while putting his team on the brink of the next round.
From inside The Q….#ThisIsYourTime#WhateverItTakes pic.twitter.com/pCZC7o64gg
— NBA (@NBA) April 26, 2018
The Evil
Outside of LeBron James and Kyle Korver, no other Cavalier made more than two buckets. In case you’re wondering… that’s not a lot of help. The only other Cav in double digits was Kevin Love… but mostly because he got to the line six times (he was a woeful 2-11 from the field). The starting back court combined for a grand total of six points as JR Smith’s pipes were frozen (0-8, 0-6 from beyond the arc). The bench was also boat-raced by a tally of 44-18.
The Cavs once again shot miserably for most of the game (41%)… with the one weird bright spot coming in the third quarter where they were 4-5 from deep (thanks to Korver and Calderon). They also had just 16 assists against 14 turnovers.
Though they edged the Pacers on the boards (37-34), 26 of them came from the same three guys who scored 80% of their points (LBJ, Love and Korver). Just another glaring example of how little help the supporting cast has been.
Despite the rare good third quarter, the Cavs clearly ran out of gas down the stretch, allowing the Pacers to erase a double digit lead yet again. They went ice cold over the final seven minutes as they jacked up contested shots from the perimeter as the clock ran out. And, though he did a nice job of stealing minutes for LeBron in the first half, Ty Lue wasn’t able to replicate that in the second half.
I know it’s maybe sort of a necessary evil for the Cavs to run their “prevent offense” in the fourth quarter, starting it with 12 minutes to go is a bit much.
Still no run for Cedi or ZZ, and even the positives Tristan Thompson brought to the floor in Game 4 in limited minutes seemed to be forgotten by Coach Lue.
While the officiating crew did a decent job for most of the game, the last thirty seconds or so got away from them a bit. Also, on two separate occasions, they stopped a Cavalier fast break by calling 24 second violations… one of which caused a violent reaction from LeBron.
The Genius
I’ve officially run out of superlatives for LeBron James. Just to reiterate… in his 15th season, at age 33, he put essentially an entirely new and untested team on his back for 42 minutes, scoring 44 points on 24 shots, with 10 rebounds, eight assists, one game saving uncalled goaltend block… and, was an insanely perfect 15-15 from the free throw line (leading the team to an incredible 25-26 from the stripe!). Oh yeah, he also added to his ever-growing legend with that historic game winning three (the only one he made out of four all game). The King also passed The Logo (Jerry West) for most playoff games with at least 40 points (21), and resides only behind his Airness now.
Kyle Korver, who might just be the Cavs’ second best player right now, passed Michael Finley and Scottie Pippen for 16th place on playoff threes with this one in the first quarter…
Picking up where he left off. #WhateverItTakes https://t.co/LxErAEH9w2
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) April 25, 2018
Aside from LeBron’s heroics, La Flamma Blanca probably saved this game for the Cavs with his timely shooting (6-11, 5-9 from deep) for 19 much needed points. Kyle also pulled down six boards, had a steal and was solid defensively.
For all of their combined horrible shooting (2-19, 1-9 from downtown), Kevin Love and JR Smith actually both played some inspired defense for stretches of this game. JR in particular did a terrific job defending Oladipo… although Victor did miss a couple of wide open looks… and he had another couple of steals. JR also didn’t miss with the water on LeBron’s head after the game…
JR Smith, the rascal that he is, organizes a water bombardment on LeBron following his postgame interview after one of James’ all-time playoff performances pic.twitter.com/bwGRN1KhUB
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) April 26, 2018
Twenty minutes is probably more than Ty Lue would like to have to play Jose Calderon, but the Spaniard filled in admirably for the injured George Hill. Of note, Jose seemed really fired up to start the second half, and was a big part of how well the Cavs came out of halftime on both sides of the ball.
The best stretch for the bench bunch came at the start of the second quarter. The new guys were decent in their limited time together on the floor, but they had some trouble after that generating much offense. The one exception was when Jordan Clarkson logged the lone assist by any Cavs point guard in the fourth quarter with a dime to Larry Nance for an open jumper.
Even though Cedi didn’t play… LeBron still credited him for being his main man for sideline celebration… “I found my guy Cedi. That’s my rook, he’a always on time and on target.”
#PlayoffLeBron pic.twitter.com/h9mF27nGNv
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 26, 2018
Parting Shot
The greatness of LeBron can’t be overstated in this series, or really in almost every playoff series in which he’s played… but what he did tonight is special. It should and will be remembered long after he hangs up his LeBron 20s. On some level I feel bad for Pacer fans… mainly because I know how it felt all those times my heart got ripped out as a Cavs fan by Michael Jordan’s greatness personified. He has single-handedly put the Cavs on the brink of the next round… something we sort of expected, but probably not to this degree (i.e. doing a reasonable facsimile of 2007 LeBron’s herculean task thus far). I don’t know if the Cavs will win this series. I don’t know if help will truly arrive. I don’t know how far they’ll go. I don’t know if they have the ability to escape the East, let alone challenge the West. But, what I do know… what I do appreciate more than ever… what I’ll miss when his time in the wine & gold has passed… is the greatness personified of one LeBron Raymone James.
Long live the King. Long may he reign. Long may he entertain.
Can the Browns draft an entire class from the six foot and under league?
good one Patrick—-you are ‘one ” of us now
Life is short. Indians and Cavaliers current success means that one can pivot from baseball to basketball without having to think about brown things. Focus on the greatness of LeBron, and the scrappy/charismatic bunch that plays at the Jake. Does Kluber get enough of your love? If weather cooperates, get outside on those fall Sundays. Walk your dog, and think about renaming it “Barkevious” or something. Just do it. You will be much happier.
I was a bit shocked at the Mayfield and Ward picks but don’t hate them. Mayfield was the leader in almost all if not all major categories (QBR, completion percentage, accuracy, deep ball accuracy, etc…). He also had the least amount of batted balls despite being 6′ and playing behind an offensive line that had guys who were 6’4 and 6’5. He’s a winner, competitor, and leader. Things the Browns haven’t had. This is a guy who has had to work and prove people wrong. He is not Johnny Manziel. The Ward pick was more need than best player available.… Read more »
For what it’s worth Ward was ranked 6 best player, and 1st best CB by ESPN.
This article made me stop drop and roll this morning so I’m not longer on fire. https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/draft-baker-mayfields-tape-numbers-say-he-should-be-no-1-overall-pick
Yeah, I would have preferred the more prototypical pocket passer in a pro-style offense like Rosen, but I don’t hate the pick. Mayfield is light years better than Manziel. Obviously the height issue is a concern historically but the numbers are on his side. Maybe the Browns found Drew Bree’s 2.0. That would be huge. I think Rosen could turn out to be the best of the qbs taken in the first round, but without the GOAT at left tackle anymore, I would be afraid of him getting injured even with a year behind Tyrod, and another offseason to improve… Read more »
Good to see logic take over for you Tom. Dalton made the playoffs 5 straight years and I’d give anything to have Mayfield. He’s the only QB I feared the Browns getting to turn their fortunes around. Only question in my mind about Mayfield is his attitude, but honestly the Browns need his attitude IMO… I think it’s the only way to get out of being the doormat of the AFCN.
I agree with John B about Chubb…. but
Ahh didn’t mean to hit send…. I was going to say about Ward, it wasn’t a huge reach apparently.
Browns were 21st in the league in sacks last year. Coulda used Chubb.
Well Johnny Manziel said that the selection of Mayfield by the Browns was a “money pick!” So we’ve got that going for us.
Meaning that Manziel had put some money on it in Vegas.
If anyone in the world knows ‘money’ it’s JFF…
Hahahahaha. Browns gonna brown.
Meanwhile Milwaukee forces game seven in Boston. Cavs could get a couple extra days off if they win and Toronto loses.
A Bucks/76ers series should be fun, if the Bucks can close out the Celtics.
I think the Celtics will take game 7 at home.
I prefer Celtics to see Stevens’ schemes against 76ers
haha they forgot to add “gets drafted by the browns, gets injured the 2nd week, can’t play for 2 years…walks on to a credible organization’s scout team, starts his first game in year 4…has a decent career for 4 years.”
“What can brown do for you?”
“Ask Baker.”
So who will/should the Browns select in the second round?
A punter and a kicker. Only positions that get much meaningful action on the Browns.
Ok. Time to put faith in Baker Mayfield.
Welcome to Cleveland!
I’ll put it this way, I don’t hate it anywhere near as much as the Manziel pick. The 6′ thing is a little concerning, especially when everyone pointed out Brees and Russell have been the only successful 6′ qbs in recent history. Then again I have no idea how many 6′ qbs have been drafted in the last 30 years. Maybe there haven’t been that many. Of course maybe there haven’t been many worth drafting based on their college career.
Generally 6′ QB’s are not drafted in the first round because of their lack of success…They are considered too risky to pick in the first let alone the number one pick…Brees was picked in the second round and Wilson was taken in the third round…
Something else that is worrisome specifically regarding cold Cleveland weather is Mayfield’s hand size. His hands were the smallest of the class at 9.25″. Bree’s and Russell’s hands are 10.25″ and they both play in warmer home stadiums. Hopefully he doesn’t have grip issues in 25 degree weather.
Very disappointed by this pick. No reason not to trade down or at least take him with the 4th.Sure hope I’m wrong, but seems like instant bust by the new GM.
A big difference between Baker and Manziel, is the Baker will put in the work and he won’t wear a disguise and gamble in Vegas the night before a game.
Back to basketball, where has the Middleton we have seen in this series been all year?
So much for the Browns and analytics. Take a guy who doesn’t fit the profile of successful QBs No. 1, and spend the No. 4 pick on a short corner they could have gotten much lower.
Yeah…I couldn’t be more disappointed with these picks…Darnold and Chubb seemed so obvious… I thought things would be different with this front office and John Dorsey but this makes it very hard to feel optimistic…I’d like to give Dorsey the benefit of the doubt but so far it seems like more of the same old Browns…
Also kind of surprising that if they wanted help in the secondary they didn’t take Minkah Fitzpatrick at four instead of Ward. Fitzpatrick was higher rated in most mock drafts as an overall prospect. I realize they took Jabril Peppers as a safety last year but the guy is a bust and will be out of the league in a few years.
Although, ESPN cited some analytics that are very favorable for Mayfield. Excellent accuracy and 2-year QBR rating.
I’m not a Browns fan (or an NFL fan, though I used to be when I was a kid), but Ward wasn’t going to drop much further. If the Browns wanted him, they did well to take him. He was probably going in the top 8.
Ok. This is coming from me, the below-casual observer. To be completely honest, no one ever blew me away in this class. Not a single QB. They say it’s a great group for QB’s but I rarely read analyst drooling over anyone for as ling as I remember. Darnold was the safest. Rosen and Allen seems generic/average. Lamar have athleticism and nothing much and Mayfield… Mayfield.. MAYBE is the highest risk/reward capability of them all. Elite accuracy, low turnovers and the balls to pull it off. “It factor” as CLF says. Maybe Dorsey sees it that way. Now the 4th… Read more »
I think the qb class was more deep than having a potential clear number one franchise talent. I think Rosen could be really really good if he has a solid o line to protect him. If he doesn’t, his potential may be seriously cut short by injuries. Most experts I have heard had him as by far the best pure pocket passer in the draft with likely the shortest learning curve for a pro style offense. He was generally thought of having the best mechanics and a good arm. He is not very mobile though and has been injury prone.… Read more »
most teams’
It really is hard to believe they passed on Chubb…He and Barkley both seem to be universally considered generational type of talent…The secondary doesn’t have to be that great if you have Chubb and Garrett getting after the QB…
LOOK WHAT THE TRIBE HAS DONE WITH FAR LESS CASH—I APPLAUD YOU TRIBE MANAGEMENT !!—-MAKING SOUND / RATIONAL DRAFTS / TRADES TO MAKE YOU A TOP MAJOR LEAGUE TEAM / FRANCHISE —WE ARE PROUD OF WHAT YOU HAVE DONE —KEEP IT UP !!
JOHN B VERY WELL PUT !!!!!—-BLOW IT UP AND MOVE IT OUT — THIS FRANCHISE HAS NO CHANCE OF SUCCESS !!
YOU ARE THE ETERNAL OPTOMIST ARCH ——-CAN’T SAY I AM THE MOST DIE HARDED BROWNS FAN——BUT THE ONE’S THAT PAY GOOD MONEY FOR SEASON TICKETS / TICKETS HAVE GOT TO BE FED UP WITH THIS LUNANCY
Yeah I guess I just don’t think the picks are as bad as many fans do. I certainly understand the concern with Baker, and I think some fans have PTSD from Manziel, but I think they’re very different.
Happy now Browns? You give a douche like Simmons free ammo and we can’t respond because he’s right.
first time Bill’s been right about something since 2006
Cornerback was an area of need? Chubb would have made the secondary better.
Dorsey traded/signed FOUR defensive backs. I mean, Ward is very good. But it was a reach. We drafted two undersized finesse players in the most brutal sport on earth. Every year you think, maybe, maybe these guys are competent.
I think the biggest problem with Haslam is he hires guys that think like him.
I feel like the Browns just grabbed some frat boy walking out of the shoe to run their draft.
Ironically that frat guy used to be homeless.
LMAO Bill trade up to take Allen???
Ugh. I think the Browns should just be contracted and I want them to be contracted. That way Northeast Ohio will be forced to be a basketball and baseball fan base first and foremost. I am sick of the irrational support for a franchise that doesn’t deserve it. I hated it when I was a kid and I hate it even more now. I am 32 so I didn’t really follow sports until the 90s hence I have no real love or memory for the Kosar era or cardiac kids. The lovable losers thing isn’t cute, it is just annoying… Read more »
There are much better uses for that lakefront land than the stadium.
TOM THAT WOULD HAVE MADE TOO MUCH SENSE——-MAN FROM TY- TO BROWNS COACHES / G.M’S —THE MONEY THEY MAKE FOR BEING TOTALLY INEPT AT THEIR SO CALLED PROFESSION IS MADDENING / FRUSTRATING
I wish there was a way to dump a tanker full of puke into the Browns draft room so they could experience first hand what most browns fans are feeling right now…
It’s unreal. I mean, of course. What kind of curse is this?
So surprised there aren’t trades into the top of this draft happening. Three good QB prospects there and no one going for them.
Rosen is the only 1st round guy left IMO.
YEP—DORSEY DRANK “FROM THE FOUNTAIN ” OF JIMMY HASLEM
Maybe that homeless guy is still calling the shots.
Denver and the Jets are both penning thank you letters to Dorsey.
I’d like to point out that Drew Brees didn’t win anything until his second team.
Browns with 2 picks out of the first 4 and both picks were not top 5 talents. Jesus. At least trade back if you’re going to do that.
Yes!
We could have had Barkley and Chubb.
Meh on Barkley. Darnold was a better bet. They had to draft a QB, who they thought was the best. It’s a big gamble though. The Ward pick though, seems they could have traded back and got someone close enough to his talent. Is he that much better than the second ranked corner?
Darnold and Chubb was the dream scenario…Or Darnold and a trade back..
Barkley would’ve been a waste. Chubb is a different story IMO.