2025 Playoffs ECSF: Cavs (1) / Pacers (4) (1-4)

[jbk1234]

The Cavs really need to at least win Game 5 tomorrow because the T&T board will break me this summer if we don't.

[JujitsuFlip]

They also gave up that Turner PNR switch too easily and Turner has been hitting every single shot he takes on smaller defenders

When Turner hit that deep heat check 3 to go up like 40 or whatever it was, i wanted to leave lol

That entire last 3 minutes of the first half was an incredible show of hot shooting... just had to be against the Cavs when we were in the middle of needing to get back into the game lol

If tomorrow night is a repeat of that, I'm 100% turning the TV off and finding something else to do lol

[ijspeelman]

When Turner hit that deep heat check 3 to go up like 40 or whatever it was, i wanted to leave lol

That entire last 3 minutes of the first half was an incredible show of hot shooting... just had to be against the Cavs when we were in the middle of needing to get back into the game lol

If tomorrow night is a repeat of that, I'm 100% turning the TV off and finding something else to do lol

No matter what happens... I feel like I have to watch it lol

This team is one of my favorites ever and its why I am currently so disappointed

[jbk1234]

So the Pacers shot 50+% from 3 in Game 1. They shot 40% from 3 in Game 2 and we lost by 1 (should've won). They shot 30% from 3 in Game 3 and we won by 20 points. They shot 67% from 3 in the first half (18 shots) and we got obliterated.

I think you sell out to stop the 3 for the rest of the series. Maybe something like an inverse box and 1. I don't know that they have another 50+% game from 3 in them, but I don't think you can risk it.

[JujitsuFlip]

So the Pacers shot 50+% from 3 in Game 1. They shot 40% from 3 in Game 2 and we lost by 1 (should've won). They shot 30% from 3 in Game 3 and we won by 20 points. They shot 67% from 3 in the first half (18 shots) and we got obliterated.

I think you sell out to stop the 3 for the rest of the series. Maybe something like an inverse box and 1. I don't know that they have another 50+% game from 3 in them, but I don't think you can risk it.

You essentially just described man defense. So the personnel probably needs to be adjusted. I'd slide Garland to the bench, eliminate Jerome and Merrill's minutes.

Ik Hunter hasn't looked great as a starter but do or die time.

I really liked what i saw from Green in game 2, so I'd have him shadow as many Toppin minutes as possible.

Garland handles all bench ball handling, keep Wade with him off the bench. That would be my 8. If 1 guy is really struggling then give Okoro 9th man minutes still but he's gotta hit his shots.

All of that is dependent on Mitchell being able to be close to himself.

[JujitsuFlip]

After the Tatum Achilles last night, i would love a win tonight but above all else, i want all our guys to avoid significant injury. Currently we're banged up but it's all stuff that can most likely heal up over the summer.

[JonFromVA]

While I'd be fine if we simply shoot them out of the arena, Kenny may have to get clever and switch up our defenses to keep Indiana guessing what our coverage will be - we need to somehow make them uncomfortable in their offense - that's ultimately championship coaching. The Pacers run read & react right? Well, we can still study their actions, bait them, and disrupt them by not playing static defense.

Playing more physical is one of the classic reactions when everything is on the line, but it's not the only approach. Kenny has also seen how the Warriors have dealt with other teams that trap and press Steph and ideally we find a way to get DG, Don, and Ty rolling so the Pacers can't focus on just one of our play-makers. We'll probably not be dusting off CPJ, Green, or Tyson as secondary ball handlers unless more injuries; but making sure our tertiary ball handlers know what to do may be key.

[ijspeelman]

I'm less so worried about this game than game 6. Obviously, this a must win and would be pretty bad to lose this series on our own floor, but this feels like a game where with the crowd our side it should at least be a close one

I know the team is capable of winning three in a row, but with what we've seen so far, I basically just need to see it in the next two games to have belief in game 7

[ijspeelman]

Trying not to be pessimistic, but its hard not to be w what I've seen. I've seen enough overreaction from all angles on this series and agree w jbk that I am not going to be able to handle the Cavs discourse if Cavs don't win

Series isn't over until its over

[JonFromVA]

I'm less so worried about this game than game 6. Obviously, this a must win and would be pretty bad to lose this series on our own floor, but this feels like a game where with the crowd our side it should at least be a close one

I know the team is capable of winning three in a row, but with what we've seen so far, I basically just need to see it in the next two games to have belief in game 7

Our immediate problem is just having so many important players dinged up, and unless Kenny unleashes the bench we need even more out of them.

Anybodies guess if they can play well enough to overcome it and fingers crossed one of these minor injuries isn't turned in to a a major injury.

[ijspeelman]

DMitch is playing. Saw Merrill has just been listed as out pretty late

[jbk1234]

The beatings will continue until morale improves. Let's do this.

[ijspeelman]

The beatings will continue until morale improves. Let's do this.

My dad has been all in this year and has thought about not watching this one lol. Told him I had to (and of course, I want to)

[JujitsuFlip]

Damn power keeps flickering off, restarting the internet

[JujitsuFlip]

Why the hell did we go back to the zone? It doesn't work!

Whoever can't play man to man D, sit them on the bench. The season is quite literally on the line.

[JujitsuFlip]

Mitchell to the locker room, clearly laboring on that left ankle after an awkward landing.

[JujitsuFlip]

Garland switched shoes.

[ijspeelman]

I'll have more thoughts tomorrow after I decompress.

Insanely fun season ended as disappointing as it could.

I'll start the post-mortem thread tomorrow

[jbk1234]

Without taking anything away from Carlisle or the Pacers, I understand why so many superstars don't care about seedlings or home court advantage. The only thing that matters is having your most important players healthy.

[JujitsuFlip]

Without taking anything away from Carlisle or the Pacers, I understand why so many superstars don't care about seedlings or home court advantage. The only thing that matters is having your most important players healthy.

Yeah, idk what we do different. Ran 10 guys every night, no one played over 31 MPG, gave guys rest nights.

Heck of a season, i just want 1 healthy playoff run.