RCF Playoff Recap: Cavs gift Pacers, 119-120

Published 1 week ago• 3 minute read

The Cavs managed 21 points in the 4Q with Mitchell creating 17 of those. Strus had a huge three-pointer late off a Mitchell feed that looked like it was just enough to secure a victory, but the last minute happened.
There’s no sense in rehashing the final stretch. Inbounding the basketball became a struggle – what happened to actively working towards the ball or getting open? The timeouts used down the stretch because they couldn’t inbound therefore couldn’t be used for potential challenges.
Rebounding the basketball became a struggle – SEVEN of the final eight points came off three offensive rebounds.
The lack of a ball-handler next to Mitchell devolved into possessions that couldn’t make it to the forecourt – Mitchell got an offensive foul attempting to, and any other pressure release simply wasn’t there.
For a team that has looked well put together and in sync all year, giving up a 20-point lead with the historic odds in their favor is a tough way to end a game and possibly a season.
Where do the Cavs turn? Without Mobley, Hunter or Garland it’s hard seeing how this becomes any more of a series. They need any and all of those to be playing for this to have a chance going 6 or 7 games.
Otherwise, the shotmaking still isn’t there. After a hot start, they still. Only shot 11-for-39 on three-pointers for the game and now have made just 20 over the last two games. The Pacers made just 11 three-pointers, and they still have up 120 points.
The Cavs once again created more than enough opportunities for themselves throughout the game – they were a +5 in FGA, +3 in offensive rebounds and were a +5 in turnover differential. But when it came down to it, the Pacers shotmaking was simply better than the Cavs.
All season long the Cavs had been the number one offensive halfcourt team. And now two games in a playoff series the Cavs have been outproduced in the half court. The Cavs were 68th percentile in the halfcourt, while the Pacers were 77th. Despite the Pacers pace and transition, games are won and lost in the halfcourt and the Cavs have been losing that battle.
The Cavs had two plus lineups the entire night, and both contained Mitchell and Wade. Allen, Strus and Merrill were also in a bulk of the lineups that were at least not negative.
In a playoff game when it mattered most, the Cavs were forced to play Wade, Okoro and Merrill 25+ minutes. Some of those produced to a certain extent but in a season when so clearly depth was built up it also seemed to be torn down in one game.
Going to Indiana twice is a tall task with Tyrese Haliburton playing like he is, and the Pacers playing like they are. But there’s also the Cavs going down 0-2 in the Finals and giving up homecourt advantage so it can be done… right?
Up next: Friday in Indiana at 7:30PM (EST).