CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Cavaliers had a slow start defensively in their Eastern Conference Semifinals series opener against the Indiana Pacers on Sunday, which continued throughout the contest, leading to a tough Game 1 loss, the final score 121-112.
The Cavs entered Sunday's game knowing one of the major keys to containing the Pacers would be the pace. They also knew they'd have to be strong defensively against the three. However, in the first quarter, those things became factors that the Cavs struggled to control.
Indiana held a 36-25 lead over the Cavs after one frame, shooting 66.7% from the field and from three. Meanwhile, Cleveland shot 45.8% from the field and 25% from three.
"I think we finally figured it out. But in the beginning, they had us kind of in the blender a little bit, and we did get adjusted to it, made some adjustments and settled down a little bit. And then their shot-making was otherworldly. You know, obviously we're 9 for 38. Elite shot-making by them. Give them a ton of credit," head coach Kenny Atkinson said after the game.
Some adjustments helped give the Cavs a spark offensively in the second quarter. Still, the Pacers found holes in the Cavs' defense and kept up their lights-out shooting. The Cavs had cut it down to a two-point game at one point in the second quarter, but by the end of the first quarter, they trailed the Pacers 64-58.
"We started switching, we got a little more physical, played a little faster and got to our spots a little better," said guard Ty Jerome.
Atkinson said the adjustments on defense certainly helped—but would prove not to be enough with struggles lingering offensively.
"We kind of knew they were making tough shots and we're forcing tough shots, and we want our guys to stick with it, and they did. I thought they hung in there. We turned around, made a few adjustments in the third quarter that I think helped our defense. But again, I think it's crazy. I think our offense kind of let us down a little bit, and not just missed shots, just could have moved it a little better," Atkinson said.
With a six-point deficit heading into the third quarter, the Cavs felt like they were going in the right direction, cutting it to a four-point game three minutes into the quarter. Pacers' Aaron Nesmith hitting back-to-back 24-footers kept Cleveland at bay. For every Cavs make, it seemed Indiana had an answer.
Until the end of the third, the Cavs' aggressiveness was evident, with fast breaks and alley oops helping lead them to their first lead since three minutes into the first quarter. Cleveland held a four-point lead with just over two minutes left in the third, but after trading shots, the Cavs gave up that lead as the quarter ended with a Myles Turner three at the buzzer.
The final 12 minutes became crucial for the Cavs. Midway through the fourth quarter, the Cavs and Pacers were exchanging leads back and forth. But the pesky perimeter shooting from Indiana came back to life in the final few minutes. With just over three minutes to play, the Pacers held a six-point lead.
Unfortunately, the Pacers kept their foot on the gas, and the Cavs were unable to overcome them as time wound down.
The Cavs are unhappy with the loss but focused on carrying over adjustments that worked well in the second half into the next matchup.
"We've got to look at the film and then we gotta execute. I think that's the biggest thing. I could tell you what it was, but we got to go out there and execute on the floor, and I have no doubt that we will. That's the team we've shown to be, and it's one game. I mean, yeah, we lost home court advantage technically, but it's one game. And we just gotta respond for Game 2," said guard Donovan Mitchell.
Indiana now holds a 1-0 series lead over Cleveland. The Cavs will host the Pacers for Game 2 inside Rocket Arena on Tuesday. Tip-off is at 7 p.m.
