2025 NBA PLAYOFFS East Semifinals: #1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs #4 Indiana Pacers (IND WINS 4-1)

[Iwasawitness]

Everyone knew they were frauds.

It's not just me.

Regular season frauds.

Mitchell will never win a title as a first option.

And they don't have a true #2.

You didn't know anything. You aren't judging a fully healthy Cavaliers team. You're judging a very clearly injured one going up against a healthy and extremely good Pacers team.

But again, conspiracy theorist. I should expect stupid posts from you but for some reason I always give you the benefit of the doubt.

Everyone knows the NBA is behind the Luka trade.

Well about 95% of people know.

And those same people know the NBA gave the Mavs Cooper as payback.

This isn't rocket science.

Even people that never believed it before, believe it now.

Literally none of those things are true.

Use critical thinking. You'd be surprised how much it helps.

[jtan08]

I'm not sure why injuries are constantly used as an excuse — they're just part of the game. Besides, they only missed Game 2 (Garland also missed Game 1), where they were up by 20 at one point and had a 7-point lead with less than a minute remaining. Personally, based on how both teams have played in this series, I believe the Pacers would still beat the Cavs even if Cleveland were fully healthy.

[MrTribbiani]

The Cavs should look to trade either Garland or Jarrett Allen.

[JujitsuFlip]

I'm not sure why injuries are constantly used as an excuse — they're just part of the game. Besides, they only missed Game 2 (Garland also missed Game 1), where they were up by 20 at one point and had a 7-point lead with less than a minute remaining. Personally, based on how both teams have played in this series, I believe the Pacers would still beat the Cavs even if Cleveland were fully healthy.

You didn't watch a single minute of the series, did ya?

[sunsbg]

Didn't follow this series. Were injuries key for Cavs losing 1:4 or Pacers are that good ? Knicks - Pacers, who's the favorite ?

[jtan08]

I'm not sure why injuries are constantly used as an excuse — they're just part of the game. Besides, they only missed Game 2 (Garland also missed Game 1), where they were up by 20 at one point and had a 7-point lead with less than a minute remaining. Personally, based on how both teams have played in this series, I believe the Pacers would still beat the Cavs even if Cleveland were fully healthy.

You didn't watch a single minute of the series, did ya?

I watched every minute of every game, and the Cavs lost all except Game 3.

[pepe1991]

Defending teams who have elite guards who can pop from 35 feet wracks havoc on defense, makes you unsure of logical stuff and collapses defense.

Same thing happened to Celtics, vs Knicks they simply can't deal with Brunson, and for whatever reason, they don't want to throw double on him.

Also there is structural problem with defensive schemes with both Celtics and Cavs. They surrender switches so damn easy because they are trained to do so, even in positions when they could avoid switches.

Cavs have issues with spacing whenever Mobley & Allen are together, it puts way too much pressure on ballhandlers and shrinks floor.


Injuries did play a role in a series, you simply can't deny it , but i think bigger problem was momentum. Cavs started second guessing everything after second loss, Pacers gained momentum and confidence to a point where even deep bench players felt good about themself.

From Pacers POV, once you go to ECF for second year in a row, it stops being accident.

From NBA -title hunting pov, whoever comes from West ( probably oKC) will play finals on West, and just come to collect cake in quick and painless 4-5 games in finals. Celtics were only serious team from East that had objective chance at winning, Cavs have roster issues that need trades to be soled. Starting with Allen and Garland.

[yoadknux]

Let me just say this as a Pacers fan reflecting back on Cavs and Bucks. Both had injuries, yes. I personally felt like it affected the Bucks more than it affected the Cavs, and I also felt like the Cavs weren't strong enough mentally. That game 2 collapse, Game 4 everyone were healthy and they were down 40 at the half, And game 5, their arms were shaking, they shot badly, and choked at home with the game on the line. The injury here is mental, not physical. That Bucks team at least fought hard, Cavs were content with the outcome

[NiceLikeChrist]

Defending teams who have elite guards who can pop from 35 feet wracks havoc on defense, makes you unsure of logical stuff and collapses defense.

Same thing happened to Celtics, vs Knicks they simply can't deal with Brunson, and for whatever reason, they don't want to throw double on him.

Also there is structural problem with defensive schemes with both Celtics and Cavs. They surrender switches so damn easy because they are trained to do so, even in positions when they could avoid switches.

Cavs have issues with spacing whenever Mobley & Allen are together, it puts way too much pressure on ballhandlers and shrinks floor.


Injuries did play a role in a series, you simply can't deny it , but i think bigger problem was momentum. Cavs started second guessing everything after second loss, Pacers gained momentum and confidence to a point where even deep bench players felt good about themself.

From Pacers POV, once you go to ECF for second year in a row, it stops being accident.

From NBA -title hunting pov, whoever comes from West ( probably oKC) will play finals on West, and just come to collect cake in quick and painless 4-5 games in finals. Celtics were only serious team from East that had objective chance at winning, Cavs have roster issues that need trades to be soled. Starting with Allen and Garland.

If they get swept in back to back ECF it definitely becomes a thought in their minds that maybe they did really just trip and stumble there twice out of fortunate circumstances

[lambchop]

Love me some Haliburton right now. Despite being nothing but a towel waver on team USA, he was very mature and humble about it. Now he's showing that he's clearly one of the best in the league in high pressure situations. A rare combination of exemplary humility and unwavering confidence.

Anyway, I hope to see a Pacers - Knicks matchup, cause I enjoy watching both of those teams and wouldn't mind seeing either one going all the way.

[lambchop]

Defending teams who have elite guards who can pop from 35 feet wracks havoc on defense, makes you unsure of logical stuff and collapses defense.

Same thing happened to Celtics, vs Knicks they simply can't deal with Brunson, and for whatever reason, they don't want to throw double on him.

Also there is structural problem with defensive schemes with both Celtics and Cavs. They surrender switches so damn easy because they are trained to do so, even in positions when they could avoid switches.

Cavs have issues with spacing whenever Mobley & Allen are together, it puts way too much pressure on ballhandlers and shrinks floor.


Injuries did play a role in a series, you simply can't deny it , but i think bigger problem was momentum. Cavs started second guessing everything after second loss, Pacers gained momentum and confidence to a point where even deep bench players felt good about themself.

From Pacers POV, once you go to ECF for second year in a row, it stops being accident.

From NBA -title hunting pov, whoever comes from West ( probably oKC) will play finals on West, and just come to collect cake in quick and painless 4-5 games in finals. Celtics were only serious team from East that had objective chance at winning, Cavs have roster issues that need trades to be soled. Starting with Allen and Garland.

I think switching works if you have the personell. The Cavs clearly don't. You don't want Garland or Jerome defending anybody. Garland looks like a child even compared to Nemhard. The Knicks can probably do the switching thing with more success, due to them having Brunson, Bridges, Hart, OG, Randle etc.

[Statlanta]

Both teams didn't show me anything that could be replicated and be brought to the NBA Finals. Speaks highly about the #1 seed in the East even if they were injured. Hoping the Pacers finally get to play a healthy team in the playoffs.

[basketballRob]

Kudos to the Pacers and their fans. Multiple comebacks to win games this series to advance.

I wish the Cavs coulda been healthy for the series, not sure it would've mattered but woulda been nice to have more clarity.

I will say the Pacers and Colts have some awesome facilities! Been up there the last 2 years, everyone i encountered was super kind, fun city.

I think the Cavs need to make some changes. Garland, Allen, and Jerome seem really soft.

Sent from my SM-G998U1 using RealGM mobile app

[JujitsuFlip]

Didn't follow this series. Were injuries key for Cavs losing 1:4 or Pacers are that good ? Knicks - Pacers, who's the favorite ?

It's difficult to say if healthy Cavs coulda, shoulda, woulda won the series.

But yes, i believe injuries played a big role in deciding the series.

[JujitsuFlip]

Let me just say this as a Pacers fan reflecting back on Cavs and Bucks. Both had injuries, yes. I personally felt like it affected the Bucks more than it affected the Cavs, and I also felt like the Cavs weren't strong enough mentally. That game 2 collapse, Game 4 everyone were healthy and they were down 40 at the half, And game 5, their arms were shaking, they shot badly, and choked at home with the game on the line. The injury here is mental, not physical. That Bucks team at least fought hard, Cavs were content with the outcome

Saying everyone was 'healthy' just because they're in uniform, is disingenuous. Our eyeballs show us otherwise.

[JujitsuFlip]

Kudos to the Pacers and their fans. Multiple comebacks to win games this series to advance.

I wish the Cavs coulda been healthy for the series, not sure it would've mattered but woulda been nice to have more clarity.

I will say the Pacers and Colts have some awesome facilities! Been up there the last 2 years, everyone i encountered was super kind, fun city.

I think the Cavs need to make some changes. Garland, Allen, and Jerome seem really soft.

Sent from my SM-G998U1 using RealGM mobile app

Being a 2nd apron team is going to make it next to impossible. I think they run it back, hope for better health. If in 2026, health is the narrative yet again, for the 5th post season in a row, then you pivot.

[yoadknux]

Let me just say this as a Pacers fan reflecting back on Cavs and Bucks. Both had injuries, yes. I personally felt like it affected the Bucks more than it affected the Cavs, and I also felt like the Cavs weren't strong enough mentally. That game 2 collapse, Game 4 everyone were healthy and they were down 40 at the half, And game 5, their arms were shaking, they shot badly, and choked at home with the game on the line. The injury here is mental, not physical. That Bucks team at least fought hard, Cavs were content with the outcome

Saying everyone was 'healthy' just because they're in uniform, is disingenuous. Our eyeballs show us otherwise.

I agree with that
Cavs had 15 players suffering from depression on games 4 and 5

[donkki]

Totally unexpected how easily the Cavs went down. I thought when they added Hunter that their starting five could take any team in the league and maybe have a chance at the title, but yeah, that was a disappointing showing from them.

[Nuntius]

Retired mod, stay retired big dawg.....

So, you're not willing to put your money where your mouth is. All talk, no action. Good to know.

Rite, big tough internet gangster lol tough guy strong armed me into an internet bet, pacers suck, Haliburton sucks, Reggie sucked, nembhard sucks, the Davis' sucked, Rick smiths sucked, obi sucks, colts suck, the Indy 500 sucks.....

Not trying to act tough, mate. I just wanted to see if you'd stand by your prediction. I wanted to see if you're a man of conviction or just a troll who likes to talk **** but backs off the moment you're asked to back your **** up. Sadly, there was no conviction to be found there.

[JujitsuFlip]

Let me just say this as a Pacers fan reflecting back on Cavs and Bucks. Both had injuries, yes. I personally felt like it affected the Bucks more than it affected the Cavs, and I also felt like the Cavs weren't strong enough mentally. That game 2 collapse, Game 4 everyone were healthy and they were down 40 at the half, And game 5, their arms were shaking, they shot badly, and choked at home with the game on the line. The injury here is mental, not physical. That Bucks team at least fought hard, Cavs were content with the outcome

Saying everyone was 'healthy' just because they're in uniform, is disingenuous. Our eyeballs show us otherwise.

I agree with that
Cavs had 15 players suffering from depression on games 4 and 5

Whack.