2025 NBA PLAYOFFS East Semifinals: #1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs #4 Indiana Pacers (IND leads 1-0)

[GiannisAnte34]

The Cavs are going to absolutely smoke the Pacers and people on here will still be doubting the Cavs lol

Would a 4-2 series win qualify as “smoking” the Pacers? I could see that happening. I’m doubtful it’s a 4-0 or 4-1 cruise job, the Cavs don’t have that superstar that can take over a series like Jokic, Giannis, Kawhi, Curry, etc

Their guards are good but also exploitable on the other end

No, im saying gentleman’s sweep.

Donovan Mitchell can and has taken over many 4th quarters but it’s not like the Pacers have that guy either, I’d take both Garland and Mitchell as closers over Haliburton.

I mentioned earlier. Cavs have the best player, the better starting 5, the better 6th man, better overall offense, and better defense.

Pacers are a good team but this is a lopsided matchup just like Celtics Knicks.

I guess I'm not convinced Mitchell is a superstar in general, maybe I have a misconception about him

The Pacers bench had Tj, Obi, Nembhard, and Mathurin I believe... as a Bucks fan I wish we had that kind of bench unit

I think we should have attacked TJ more, but he was killing us off the bench. Seemed like whatever he did was a positive play offensively except in game 3 where he was shut down

[JujitsuFlip]

My guess is either another sweep or Cavs in 5. This Pacers team is definitely better than last season and should hopefully have Mathurin for the series, but I still think the gap is far too big between both teams.

The Cavs are the better offensive team with a true offensive superstar and the far, far better defense.

Not sure how the Pacers are going to stop Mitchell and Garland. Much better defenses have tried and failed.

I'd say the Pacers hope is injury for that starting back court. No one wants anyone to be injured but Garland is questionable for game 1 with his sprained big toe (missed the final 2 games of the Heat series) and Mitchell looked like he was laboring through certain parts of round 1, especially game 3.

[GiannisAnte34]

My guess is either another sweep or Cavs in 5. This Pacers team is definitely better than last season and should hopefully have Mathurin for the series, but I still think the gap is far too big between both teams.

The Cavs are the better offensive team with a true offensive superstar and the far, far better defense.

Not sure how the Pacers are going to stop Mitchell and Garland. Much better defenses have tried and failed.

I'd say the Pacers hope is injury for that starting back court. No one wants anyone to be injured but Garland is questionable for game 1 with his sprained big toe (missed the final 2 games of the Heat series) and Mitchell looked like he was laboring through certain parts of round 1, especially game 3.

I'm really surprised the Cavs are favored by 2.5 games if Mitchell and Garland aren't 100%. The Cavs will need to be on point to win this series convincingly

[cgf]

My guess is either another sweep or Cavs in 5. This Pacers team is definitely better than last season and should hopefully have Mathurin for the series, but I still think the gap is far too big between both teams.

The Cavs are the better offensive team with a true offensive superstar and the far, far better defense.

Not sure how the Pacers are going to stop Mitchell and Garland. Much better defenses have tried and failed.

Far, far better defense?

CLE defrtg 111.8 - 8th in the NBA
IND defrtg 113.3 - tied for 13th in the NBA

Nembhard is a great guard defender and the way that the pacers play puts a ton of pressure on opposing ballhandlers.

[JujitsuFlip]

My guess is either another sweep or Cavs in 5. This Pacers team is definitely better than last season and should hopefully have Mathurin for the series, but I still think the gap is far too big between both teams.

The Cavs are the better offensive team with a true offensive superstar and the far, far better defense.

Not sure how the Pacers are going to stop Mitchell and Garland. Much better defenses have tried and failed.

I'd say the Pacers hope is injury for that starting back court. No one wants anyone to be injured but Garland is questionable for game 1 with his sprained big toe (missed the final 2 games of the Heat series) and Mitchell looked like he was laboring through certain parts of round 1, especially game 3.

I'm really surprised the Cavs are favored by 2.5 games if Mitchell and Garland aren't 100%. The Cavs will need to be on point to win this series convincingly

Betting odds are probably inflated because the Cavs just put up 121+ points in every game in round 1.

Long as the Pacers can hold the Cavs below 121 points, those odds will probably shift as the series wear on.

[xBulletproof]

My guess is either another sweep or Cavs in 5. This Pacers team is definitely better than last season and should hopefully have Mathurin for the series, but I still think the gap is far too big between both teams.

The Cavs are the better offensive team with a true offensive superstar and the far, far better defense.

Not sure how the Pacers are going to stop Mitchell and Garland. Much better defenses have tried and failed.

Far, far better defense?

CLE defrtg 111.8 - 8th in the NBA
IND defrtg 113.3 - tied for 13th in the NBA

Nembhard is a great guard defender and the way that the pacers play puts a ton of pressure on opposing ballhandlers.

This is why my first post in the Bucks-Pacers thread I made a point to talk about their defense. Some people who have paid no attention still think they defend like they did October 2023.

[Wizop]

Betting odds are not predictive of the results. They are set to create a balanced book. They reflect that there are more Cavs betters than Pacer betters.

[GiannisAnte34]

Betting odds are not predictive of the results. They are set to create a balanced book. They reflect that there are more Cavs betters than Pacer betters.

That sounds right. I miss the 538 probabilities on NBA playoffs

[mcfly1204]

Are the Cavs this year closer to the 2016-17 Cavs or the 2019-20 Bucks? Both dominant regular season teams

Feels like you're comparing apples to oranges in either scenario. Those Cavs and Bucks teams were led by dominate players. This Cavs squad is a much more balanced team.

We could widen it to 2015-2016 Cavs #1 seed won Finals
2016-17 Cavs #1 seed lost in the Finals
2018-2019 Bucks #1 seed lost in the ECF
and the 2019-2020 Bucks #1 seed lost in the ECSF

I think in terms of results, I'd expect Cleveland to lose in the ECF. I don't think the Pacers will just roll over for the Cavs tho, they need to be on point to advance here. The Bucks weren't prepared for the Heat in 19-20 and didn't get the advantage of home crowds, got burned for it

Cavs need to take both games at home to start the series. If Pacers can steal one they'll be feeling confident, they play with a lot of composure and clutch poise

So this isn't just wishful thinking from a Bucks fan to help justify their gentleman's sweep?

[GiannisAnte34]

Feels like you're comparing apples to oranges in either scenario. Those Cavs and Bucks teams were led by dominate players. This Cavs squad is a much more balanced team.

We could widen it to 2015-2016 Cavs #1 seed won Finals
2016-17 Cavs #1 seed lost in the Finals
2018-2019 Bucks #1 seed lost in the ECF
and the 2019-2020 Bucks #1 seed lost in the ECSF

I think in terms of results, I'd expect Cleveland to lose in the ECF. I don't think the Pacers will just roll over for the Cavs tho, they need to be on point to advance here. The Bucks weren't prepared for the Heat in 19-20 and didn't get the advantage of home crowds, got burned for it

Cavs need to take both games at home to start the series. If Pacers can steal one they'll be feeling confident, they play with a lot of composure and clutch poise

So this isn't just wishful thinking from a Bucks fan to help justify their gentleman's sweep?

in that regard aren't I damned if I do and damned if I don't? you could twist either position into one that's based on being a Bucks fan

Pacers get ground into dust = vengeful because I want them to lose
Pacers upset the Cavs = justifying why the Bucks lost to such a good team

[Iwasawitness]

My guess is either another sweep or Cavs in 5. This Pacers team is definitely better than last season and should hopefully have Mathurin for the series, but I still think the gap is far too big between both teams.

The Cavs are the better offensive team with a true offensive superstar and the far, far better defense.

Not sure how the Pacers are going to stop Mitchell and Garland. Much better defenses have tried and failed.

I'd say the Pacers hope is injury for that starting back court. No one wants anyone to be injured but Garland is questionable for game 1 with his sprained big toe (missed the final 2 games of the Heat series) and Mitchell looked like he was laboring through certain parts of round 1, especially game 3.

Cavaliers looked a lot better with Garland being injured if I’m being honest…

[Nuntius]

You don't watch the Pacers, is the point lol

Pacers fan here. Based on cgf's post history, I feel fairly confident in saying that he does watch the Pacers a fair amount more than your average non-Pacer fan.

[xxSnEaKyPxx]

Donovan Mitchell can and has taken over many 4th quarters but it’s not like the Pacers have that guy either, I’d take both Garland and Mitchell as closers over Haliburton.

You’re welcome to your opinion, and I’m not knocking Mitchell or Garland, but the Pacers and Haliburton have been one of the best late game teams in the NBA this season. The amount of insane comebacks and game winners they’ve had has been wild. I mean, the National media was actively talking about a stretch of games where the Pacers clutched out like 5 insane wins in a row at one point, then game 5 vs Bucks, etc.

I don’t know, just an odd opinion to me when all of the evidence says otherwise.

[JujitsuFlip]

My guess is either another sweep or Cavs in 5. This Pacers team is definitely better than last season and should hopefully have Mathurin for the series, but I still think the gap is far too big between both teams.

The Cavs are the better offensive team with a true offensive superstar and the far, far better defense.

Not sure how the Pacers are going to stop Mitchell and Garland. Much better defenses have tried and failed.

I'd say the Pacers hope is injury for that starting back court. No one wants anyone to be injured but Garland is questionable for game 1 with his sprained big toe (missed the final 2 games of the Heat series) and Mitchell looked like he was laboring through certain parts of round 1, especially game 3.

Cavaliers looked a lot better with Garland being injured if I’m being honest…

Oh for sure, i thought the same thing. It's probably because who he shares the floor with a lot, hopefully the coaches can figure out how to get max efficiency out of the lineups if/when he returns in this series.

[Iwasawitness]

Donovan Mitchell can and has taken over many 4th quarters but it’s not like the Pacers have that guy either, I’d take both Garland and Mitchell as closers over Haliburton.

You’re welcome to your opinion, and I’m not knocking Mitchell or Garland, but the Pacers and Haliburton have been one of the best late game teams in the NBA this season. The amount of insane comebacks and game winners they’ve had has been wild. I mean, the National media was actively talking about a stretch of games where the Pacers clutched out like 5 insane wins in a row at one point, then game 5 vs Bucks, etc.

I don’t know, just an odd opinion to me when all of the evidence says otherwise.

The Cavs have been the best fourth quarter team in the NBA this season lol

[xxSnEaKyPxx]

Donovan Mitchell can and has taken over many 4th quarters but it’s not like the Pacers have that guy either, I’d take both Garland and Mitchell as closers over Haliburton.

You’re welcome to your opinion, and I’m not knocking Mitchell or Garland, but the Pacers and Haliburton have been one of the best late game teams in the NBA this season. The amount of insane comebacks and game winners they’ve had has been wild. I mean, the National media was actively talking about a stretch of games where the Pacers clutched out like 5 insane wins in a row at one point, then game 5 vs Bucks, etc.

I don’t know, just an odd opinion to me when all of the evidence says otherwise.

The Cavs have been the best fourth quarter team in the NBA this season lol

What’s that have to do with the Pacers apparently not having a closer?

[Wizop]

The Cavs have been the best fourth quarter team in the NBA this season lol

Yes, Cavs are #1 in 4th quarter scoring. Pacers are #2 less than a point behind.

[Iwasawitness]

You’re welcome to your opinion, and I’m not knocking Mitchell or Garland, but the Pacers and Haliburton have been one of the best late game teams in the NBA this season. The amount of insane comebacks and game winners they’ve had has been wild. I mean, the National media was actively talking about a stretch of games where the Pacers clutched out like 5 insane wins in a row at one point, then game 5 vs Bucks, etc.

I don’t know, just an odd opinion to me when all of the evidence says otherwise.

The Cavs have been the best fourth quarter team in the NBA this season lol

What’s that have to do with the Pacers apparently not having a closer?

Is that what he was saying? Oh jesus, I gave the guy the benefit of the doubt and now I feel silly.

[mcfly1204]

The Cavs have been the best fourth quarter team in the NBA this season lol

What’s that have to do with the Pacers apparently not having a closer?

Is that what he was saying? Oh jesus, I gave the guy the benefit of the doubt and now I feel silly.

Generally speaking, having a closer, if not two, is necessary. Sometimes you can get lucky and a guy has a dominate series, but guys like Mitchell who can score at all three levels are a key piece to winning. When you have a guy like Mitchell, there's a sustainable element to that aspect to it.

[JujitsuFlip]

Game 1 will be at 6pm Sunday on TNT.