Cleveland Cavaliers vs Indiana Pacers Game 2: What We Learned

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 17, 2017; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) shoots over the defense of Indiana Pacers guard Jeff Teague (44) 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 /

3. Jeff Teague is continuing to get abused defensively.

Teague is a solid player. He had a great game offensively by putting up 23 points on 8 of 12 shooting. The problem is the Cavs are singling him out defensively.

Irving torched Teague to the tune of 37 points in Game 2. While Teague wasn’t guarding Kyrie the whole game, he was the primary defender on him.

When Kyrie wasn’t torching him, LeBron was. Irving often set screens on LeBron’s defender to force the switch. From there LeBron would attack Teague inside.

Indiana is in a tough situation. The Cavs will continue to attack Teague if they switch everything defensively. If they don’t switch everything, Kyle Korver and J.R. Smith could have a field day from the 3 point line. The other option is to not play Teague as much. The problem is he has been the most reliable scoring option outside of George.

As I see it, the Pacers are forced to hope Teague steps up defensively. The other options really aren’t viable.