Cleveland Cavaliers vs Indiana Pacers Game 3: What We Learned

4. The Cavs have a deep, versatile bench.

Going off the last point, the Cavaliers can overcome poor games from Love and Irving because they have options off the bench. The Cavs were able to win this game because of the impressive play from Deron Williams, Channing Frye, Iman Shumpert, and Kyle Korver.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Coach Lue showed that he wasn’t afraid to with the LeBron and bench unit for the majority of the fourth quarter. Lue isn’t afraid to ride the hot hand and it paid off in this situation.

Iman Shumpert’s defense on Paul George proved to be invaluable yet again. He provided the energy that was needed to chance George around, and through the seemingly endless screens they set for him.

Having veteran players like Deron Williams and Kyle Korver coming off the bench that can score and provide good team defense is key to a championship team. Role players like that  can help win games when the starters are off.

The Cavaliers wouldn’t go as far in the playoffs if they had to rely on players like Williams and Korver all the time. However, they can rely on them to give them everything they have for the fourth quarter of a road playoff game.

It’s nice knowing that the Big Three doesn’t need to be on top of their game for the Cavs to win a road playoff game.