Cavs face Pacers in Round 2 after historic sweep
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The Cleveland Cavaliers begin their Eastern Conference Semifinal matchup against the Indiana Pacers Sunday at home.
Why it matters: The easy part's over.
State of play: The Cavs are coming off the most lopsided playoff series in NBA history, eviscerating the Miami Heat in four games by a total of 122 points.
- The Pacers, led by All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton, dispatched Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks in five games.
The big picture: These are two of the league's most lethal offenses, with deep and flexible rosters, lights-out shooters and elite coaching. It'll be a high-scoring best-of-seven series.
Players to watch:
For the Cavs: Donovan Mitchell, who's currently tied with Michael Jordan — heard of him? — for the most consecutive 30-point performances in the first game of a playoff series.
- He'll be the solo leader if he drops 30 Sunday.
For the Pacers: Haliburton, whose height at the guard position (6'5") makes him one of the NBA's savviest passers. He'll be a handful on the perimeter for Cleveland defenders.
👀 What we're watching: Who gets the primary defensive assignment against Haliburton? Maybe Max Strus?
- Sam Merrill and Isaac Okoro will be enlisted for stints as well.
🩼 And will Darius Garland, who sat out the final two games of the Heat series with a toe strain, be fully recovered by Sunday?
Behind the lines: This series will feature two of the NBA's feistiest, most reliable backup point guards: Ty Jerome and T.J. McConnell.
- The Cavs outscored the Heat by 88 points when Jerome was on the floor in Round 1 — more than any of his teammates.
💠Sam's prediction: Cavs in six.
- In the final week of the regular season, the Cavs' third string gave the Pacers' starters a run for their money. I like our chances at full strength.
💠Axios Indy reporter Justin Mack's prediction: As someone who has called Central Indiana home for the past 21 years, I've supported the Pacers' strong season and Haliburton's late-game heroics.
- But that ends now. I'm from Cleveland, and the first jersey I ever owned as a kid said "Nance 22" on the back.
- Cavs in six.
The bottom line: Rocket Arena will be bumping as the Cavs seek their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance without LeBron James on the roster since 1992.
How to watch: Sunday's game (time TBA) will be televised on TNT/Max, and the full Round 2 schedule will be announced soon.
- Tickets are available for as low as $90 on SeatGeek.