Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Indiana Pacers Statistical Showdown
By Zak Kolesar
Dec 12 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert (55) is fouled by Cleveland Cavaliers forward Tyler Zeller (40) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeated Cleveland 96-81. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
The Cleveland Cavaliers (24-52) are currently riding a two-game winning streak going into their matchup with Central Division rival Indiana (48-29). The Pacers are looking to sweep the Cavaliers on the season, as their four-game series will come to a conclusion on Tuesday night at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Cleveland has been outscored by 46 total points in their three previous matches with the Pacers and have not scored over 90 points in any of the three losses this season. Going up against the Eastern Conference’s best defensive squad doesn’t bode well in the first place for the Cavs, but missing key scorers such as Dion Waiters and C.J. Miles could result in another effort comparable to their play in recent matchups with the Houston Rockets and Brooklyn Nets:
Statistics
Points |
Points Allowed
Assists
Assists Allowed
Rebounds
Rebounds Allowed
Cavaliers
96.8 (t-16th)
101.2 (25th)
20.7 (25th)
24.1 (28th)
40.9 (23rd)
42.2 (t-16th)
Pacers
94.7 (t-21st)
90.2 (2nd)
20.4 (27th)
19.2 (3rd)
46.1 (1st)
41.0 (8th)
Advanced Statistics
Offensive Efficiency |
Defensive Efficiency
Cavaliers
100.8 (21st)
106.8 (27th)
Pacers
101.6 (19th)
96.1 (1st)
Four Factors
eFG% |
Free Throw Rate
Turnover Rate
Offensive Rebound Rate
Cavaliers
47.3 (28th)
.202 (18th)
13.0 (5th)
28.1 (11th)
Pacers
47.8 (22nd)
.216 (8th)
14.1 (22nd)
30.1 (4th)
Players to Watch:
Cavaliers – Tristan Thompson, power forward
1. Averaging 22 points and 16.5 rebounds (in previous two wins)
2. Shooting 55.2 percent from the field (against Indiana this season)
3. Averaging 12 points and 11 rebounds (against Indiana this season)
Pacers – Paul George, small forward
1. Averaging 17.5 points, 4.1 assists and 7.7 rebounds (on the season)
2. Shooting 29.4 percent from the field (in April)
3. +7.5 net points per 100 possessions when on the court (on the season)
Key Matchup: Tyler Zeller vs. Roy Hibbert – In 14 games against the Central Division this season, Zeller has been roughed up. Whether it was Joakim Noah intimidating him on offense or Hibbert putting him in his place on defense, the rookie center has not performed well against the aggressive big men in his first season. He is shooting five percentage points lower than his season mark (44.1 percent) against the Bulls, Pacers, Bucks and Pistons. On the other side of things, Hibbert has loved playing down low against the Cavaliers this season. He grabs around nine boards per game in three contests with Cleveland this season, but is limited on the offensive end. With Hibbert coming into his own in early April (averaging 24.3 points, shooting 66.7 percent form the field), we could see Zeller confused and shaking his head after Tuesday night’s game.