In the closing moments the defense that failed the Cleveland Cavaliers all game is what won them the game at the end.
The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Indiana Pacers in game 1 of the first round of the NBA playoffs on Saturday and at the end they used defense to do it.
MUST READ: A Letter to Cavalier Fans: Do Not Panic
It was the final play of the game and the Cavs were up by one point and LeBron said that the plan was simple, “Anyone but Paul George can take that final shot and we can live with it.”
The Cavs did just that. When George took the ball at the top of the three point line LeBron left his man and went to double team George.
George passed the ball to C.J. Miles who missed the shot and the Cavs ended up winning.
Cleveland Cavaliers
In that play it looked like Lance Stephenson was open but Paul George saw that play and he explained why he didn’t make the play everybody thought he should make.
“Well, I mean, Lance was open, but that would have been a play they were on,” George said. “They almost were baiting me to throw that. Richard Jefferson was kind of cat and mousing it, and I saw that. I told Lance he had to flash up, flash to the nail, and that would have been ballgame right there because Richard can’t guard C.J. and Lance.”
The Cavs played good defense at the end and it was only for that one play. During the game the Cavs built up lead after lead and that gave them some breathing room but George and the Pacers always found their way back.
At 2:11 in the third quarter the LeBron had a game changing transition dunk that gave the Cavs their largest lead at 12 and they thought they would cruise for a win but after two Jeff Teague threes the Pacers actually had a one point lead with 3:28 left to go in the fourth.
The Cavs figured out a way to win this game but they still have some things to work out if they want to win another championship.
If they want to dominate the Pacers they have to take away their best player which is Paul George. The last play of game 1 should be their blueprint in this series.
They have to take away Paul George and force other people to beat them.
George is the Pacer’s heartbeat and when he gets going then everybody else will get going.
The Pacers fed off George’s energy and were able to stay in the game.
The Cavs have to play more assertive defense and force turnovers that demoralize the Pacers or any other team they face.
When they set up their offense with defense they will be able to speed other teams up and force them to make mistakes. They will end games earlier.
Must Read: LeBron James Is Unmatched by Any Player in NBA History
The Cavaliers like to rest their players and preserve them so making sure games and series end early will help them stick to their game plan and stay two steps ahead of other teams.
The Cavs will win this series but they can’t afford to get into battles like this in the first series.