NBA Playoffs 2017: Cavaliers vs. Pacers Game 1 live stream: Watch online
By Ian Levy
The Cleveland Cavaliers will host the Indiana Pacers in Game 1 of their 2017 NBA Playoffs first round series. Here is how to watch it online.
The Indiana Pacers battled their way into the playoffs, locking down the No. 7 seed on the final night of the regular season. Their reward for all that blood, sweat, and tears — a date with the defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Pacers’ season had peaks and valleys but they wrapped it up as average as can be. They had the 15th-most efficient offense and the 16th-most efficient defense. Across 82 games they were outscored by a grand total of 18 points. They can be good and they can be atrocious, but usually they’re right smack in the middle.
In Game 1, the Pacers will likely roll with the same starting lineup they used down the stretch — Jeff Teague at point guard, Monta Ellis at shooting guard, Paul George at small forward, Thad Young at power forward and Myles Turner at center. In keeping with their theme of average, that lineup had a -0.2 point differential per 100 possessions across 603 minutes this season.
The Cavaliers limped into the playoffs with a defense that got progressively more disastrous. They lost their grip on the No. 1 seed and look as mortal as they have at any point since LeBron James returned. That being said, they still have LeBron and have to be considered the favorites until Indiana actually sends them home. With key players healthy, the Cavaliers will likely return to their favorite starting lineup — Kyrie Irving at point guard, J.R. Smith at shooting guard, LeBron at small forward, Kevin Love at power forward, and Tristan Thompson at center.