Recently, the Cleveland Cavaliers fell down 0-2 in their second round series vs the Indiana Pacers with a Game 2 loss at home. The Cavs put together an admirable performance without three of their key contributors, but ultimately the team relinquished a seven-point lead in the final minute and fell victim to a Tyrese Haliburton game winner.
The Cavs are now in the unenviable position of having dropped both home games, heading on the road for an effective must win Game 3. There is also a very murky injury situation regarding Darius Garland, De’Andre Hunter, and Evan Mobley, each of whom missed Game 2.
Still, recently ESPN NBA insider Kevin Pelton broke down why he still believes that the Cavs have reason for optimism.
“From a matchup standpoint, I don’t think the Pacers’ two opening wins suggest they should be favored over the full-strength Cavaliers on a neutral court,” reported Pelton.
Pelton also noted that “The Cavaliers have shown the ability to win without Garland, but his return would take some of Mitchell’s offensive load.”
At this point, the statuses of Garland, Hunter, and Mobley are unclear for Game 3.
A tough spot for the Cavs
Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
After one of their most successful regular seasons in franchise history, expectations were sky high for the Cavs entering this year’s postseason. Cleveland made good on those expectations in round one, sweeping the Miami Heat in the most lopsided playoff series in NBA history.
However, fast forward a week and a half and the vibes are now completely different in Northeast Ohio. Garland has now missed four straight games with a toe injury, causing Donovan Mitchell to have an extreme workload in this series vs Indiana. Mitchell was up for the challenge on Tuesday evening, scoring 48 points, but it wasn’t quite enough to get the undermanned Cavs over the finish line.
The Cavs will now hit the road and try to get onto the scoreboard in this series in front of what will surely be a raucous Indiana crowd. Game 3 of the series is set for 7:30 PM ET on Friday evening and will be carried nationally by ESPN.
