CLEVELAND — As the Cleveland Cavaliers gear up for their Eastern Conference semifinals face-off against the Indiana Pacers, coach Kenny Atkinson has a straightforward message for his squad: be prepared to run hard. With Cleveland claiming the top seed in the East, their offensive prowess was unmatched during the regular season, averaging a league-best 121.9 points per game. The Pacers, holding the fourth seed, also demonstrated their scoring capabilities, averaging 117.4 points. Known for their speed, the Pacers prefer a fast-paced style of play.
“We have the athleticism and speed, but it’s about adjusting to their constant pace,” Atkinson stated. “Coach Rick Carlisle has built a team that maximizes its speedy players effectively. Our challenge is to match their intensity. If we run three times, they’ll run four. Stamina will be key.”
As the series kicks off at Rocket Arena on Sunday night, all eyes will be on the duel between Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton and Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell. Haliburton has excelled in the playoffs, leading with an average of 11.6 assists per game. He’s also Indiana’s first player in over a decade to start a playoff series with four straight double-doubles.
“He’s talented, and since the All-Star break, his playmaking has been elite,” Mitchell remarked. “We know how crucial he is to their team; he’ll be a challenge, but we plan to neutralize him as much as possible.” Mitchell himself has been on a scoring tear, having averaged 23.8 points against Miami in the first round. Should he score 30 or more on Sunday, it would mark his eighth consecutive opener with at least 30 points, surpassing the legendary Michael Jordan.
“They’re the best in the East for a reason,” Haliburton acknowledged. “Their depth, shooting, defense, and rim protection are top-notch. It’ll be a fierce competition, with both teams eager and equipped for the fight.”
Both teams have had the benefit of rest: Cleveland completed their sweep of Miami on Monday, while Indiana sealed their victory over Milwaukee a day later. Andrew Nembhard, one of Indiana’s defensive stalwarts, sees this respite as advantageous. “Dodging an extra road game in Milwaukee gives us a significant edge. Rested, we play at our best,” he asserted.
Regarding Cleveland’s lineup, Darius Garland remains a game-time decision due to a nagging toe injury. Although Garland missed critical games against Miami, his recent practice involvement leaves Atkinson optimistic. “Toe injuries are tricky, but he seems to be moving well in shooting drills,” Atkinson commented.
This second-round series contrasts sharply with the physical match against Milwaukee. Despite the Pacers and Bucks’ frequent playoff encounters, Indiana hasn’t faced a fully loaded Cavaliers team in recent seasons. Haliburton hinted that scouting has been creative, saying, “It’s not often that teams face off without a full look at each other all year, so we’re piecing together insights from various matchups.”
In another shift, Rick Carlisle, Indiana’s head coach, has moved up on the active wins list following Gregg Popovich stepping down from the San Antonio Spurs. Carlisle, now second, is nearing the milestone of 1,000 career wins. He emphasized not underestimating the matchup, citing both cities’ fervent fan bases and the quality of basketball they expect during this series.