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NBA Playoffs: Cavs Prefer Pistons or Pacers?

By Jared Mueller

Feb 6, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Reggie Jackson (1) scrambles for a loose ball under Indiana Pacers forward Lavoy Allen (5) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Pacers won 112-104. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 6, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Reggie Jackson (1) scrambles for a loose ball under Indiana Pacers forward Lavoy Allen (5) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Pacers won 112-104. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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NBA Playoffs are right around the corner, who do the Cleveland Cavaliers prefer to face in the 1st Round?

The Cavs have locked up the top seed in the Eastern Conference but do not know who they will face in the opening round of the NBA Playoffs. The Detroit Pistons and the Indiana Pacers are currently tied for the 8th seed with each having 2 games left in their season.

The Pistons face off with the Miami Heat tonight and then the Cavs Wednesday in the season finale. The Pacers have the New York Knicks and the Milwaukee Bucks over the next two days.

The Pistons schedule is presumably more difficult as the Heat are still playing for something and the Cavs still have to put a team on the floor Wednesday, though the Big 3 and others are unlikely to play. The Knicks and Bucks are out of the NBA Playoffs hunt and only can impact their NBA Lottery chances.

The Pacers currently sit with the tiebreaker over the Pistons and would get the 7th seed if the two teams end tied after Wednesday.

So who might the Cavs prefer to face in the opening round of the NBA Playoffs? Let us take a quick look at each team:

Pacers

Indiana is a talented team that doesn’t seem to fit perfectly. Paul George has come back well from injury while Monta Ellis and George Hill are a very good backcourt. The Pacers, as always, play very good defense (9th in the league in points allowed) and play at a slow pace. Their inside game is lacking, with a variety of players who can do some things good but nothing great.

On the season, the Cavs are 3 – 1 against Indiana.

Pistons

Detroit is a younger, more dynamic team than the Pacers. They are led by the inside-out combo of Reggie Jackson and Andre Drummond. They lack a clear go-to guy on the wing but have a variety of players who can make an impact. The Pistons are 2nd in the league in rebounding and pretty good in most areas on the floor.

On the year, the Cavs are 1 – 2 against the Pistons with their last game meaningless for the Cavs.

Prefered Matchup

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The Cavs are not scared of either team. Both present concerns for the Cavs. George is the best player on either team while Jackson could tire out Kyrie Irving and Andre Drummond could punish Tristan Thompson physically down low. The Pacers are a more grind it out style of offense while the Pistons want to get up and down the court more.

Playing the young Pistons could lead to a series sweep if the Cavs take control early. The Pacers, with more of a veteran presence, are more likely to make a series last a game or two more. The Pacers grinding style and more veteran roster would make things more difficult.

It seems, the Pistons would be the preferred matchup for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the opening round of the NBA Playoffs.

Who do you prefer?