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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; iIndiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) shoots against Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) 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; iIndiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) shoots against Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) 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 /

6. It’s now or never for Paul George.

All the pressure is on Indiana. Normally the seventh seed isn’t supposed to have a chance against the two seed, but this isn’t a normal situation.

Many insiders say that George is leaning towards leaving Indiana after the season in free agency. If the Pacers want a chance of keeping the second best player in the conference, they need to do something at home.

The Pacers overhauled their roster to fit around George this past summer, but they didn’t have the success that they envisioned. They have played well recently and hung-around in the first two games of the series. But hanging around in games isn’t going to keep their star player from potentially bolting to Los Angeles.

I would expect the Pacers to play with a sense of desperation that is greater than a normal seventh seed in this situation in Game 3 given the circumstances. This is a team that isn’t just fighting for their season. They’re fighting for the foreseeable future of the franchise. Without George the Pacers are a lottery team in rebuilding mode.

Must Read: Iman Shumpert Gets Huge Opportunity Following Game 2

The Cavs will have their hands full on Thursday when they travel to Indiana. We’ll see if Cleveland has what it takes to take a commanding 3-0 lead in the series.