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Cleveland Cavaliers vs Indiana Pacers Game 2: What We Learned

By Jackson Flickinger

Apr 17, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) and guard Iman Shumpert (4) react to a call as Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) complains from the floor during the second half in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 117-111. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 17, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) and guard Iman Shumpert (4) react to a call as Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) complains from the floor during the second half in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs won 117-111. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 15, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) loses the ball while driving to the basket against Indiana Pacers guard Jeff Teague (44) and forward Paul George (13) in the first quarter in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 15, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) loses the ball while driving to the basket against Indiana Pacers guard Jeff Teague (44) and forward Paul George (13) in the first quarter in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports /

3. 4th Quarters continue to plague the Cavs.

The Cavs have won 6 of the 8 quarters this playoff series. However, the Cavs have lost the last two 4th Quarters. The Pacers outscored the Cavaliers by 12 points in the 4th Quarter. That isn’t a recipe for success.

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Going back to the last point, the reason why the Cavs have struggled in the final frame is mainly the offense. Cleveland resorts to pure isolation basketball down the stretch.

There is nothing wrong with isolation basketball. The Cavs played out of the iso most of Game 2. The Pacers switched on all screens defensively yet again. Cleveland wisely used this strategy to get preferable match-ups.

The problem is the Cavs haven’t attacked those match-ups like they should’ve coming down the stretch. They got away from attacking the basket and drawing the double team to start ball movement.

There are many factors as to why the offense has been sputtering down the stretch. It could be fatigue, the pressure of the situation, or the desire to run the clock all the way down.Whatever the issue is, the Cavs need to address how to attack in situations like this going down the stretch.