The NBA playoffs Round 1 in underway in a best of 7 series.  The Eastern Conference Playoff games to be held on Wednesday, April 18th have #5 Indiana Pacers vs #4 Cleveland Cavaliers playing in Game 2 with the Pacers leading the series 1-0.  The odds makers favorite Cavaliers put only 14 points on the board in the 1st quarter versus 33 by the Pacers. The poor shooting would set the pace for the remainder of the game. Indiana at one point in the game lead by 23 points.  The Cavaliers (-450) made 30 of 78 field goal attempts and 8 of 34 three pointers. Lebron James had the team high 24 points shooting at 41% with no successful three point shots and added 10 rebounds and 12 assists. Jeff Green went 0 for 7 and 0 for 3 in field goals and 3 pointers.  The Vegas odds makers list the Cleveland Cavaliers as their favorite at -8(-110) and the road dog Pacers at +8(-110). For the over/under bettors the game total is listed at 209(-110).

Indiana (+325) won by 98-80 with Victor Oladipo as high scorer sinking 32 points which 4 assists, steals and turnovers in the betting odds Game 1.  Myles Turner led with 8 rebounds and added 2 assists and 1 block. The Pacers offense was a hard defense to play against. Thaddeus Young stuck to Kevin Love like glue and took away his opportunities to score.  The speed the Pacers showed kept the Cavs shooters out of the three point zone. Assistant Coach and defensive guru Dan Burke didn’t the Pacers to use switching on the defense he made them work hard and it paid off.  

The Cavaliers will look toward James to get the game going right from tip off and lead the Cavs to a win to tie up the series.  If James cannot control the game the Pacers may take the Cavaliers out of the running for the next round.

 

 

 

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