NBA Playoffs 2017: 5 keys to Cavaliers vs. Pacers matchup

1. 3-point shooting

This will be what ultimately decides the fate of both teams. Cleveland is one of the best 3-point shooting teams in the NBA. They shoot a bunch from deep. They make a bunch from deep. Their role players are all 3-point shooters. Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love are both 3-point shooters. LeBron James is shooting a career high from 3-point range. This is what they do and it’s how they will win basketball games for the entirety of the playoffs.

The Pacers on the other hand are very clinical with their shooting. They don’t take very many shots from deep, but when they do they’re almost always making them. They’re top five in the NBA in 3-point percentage, but bottom five in attempts per game. They just aren’t in love with the long ball. That could be a problem for them if Cleveland starts getting hot from deep. The Pacers will need to find a way to either matchup with that shooting, or chase Cleveland off the line and into the paint.

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If the Pacers can somehow reduce the amount of shots that Cleveland is taking, maybe by slowing the pace, then that might give them a shot at keeping up. However, this is easier said than done and it would be moving away from how they’ve played much of the season. They’re not in a favorable position when it comes to the long ball. Of course, they’re not in a favorable position for any part of this series, but it’s the playoffs and weird things happen in the playoffs. Cleveland is the overwhelming favorite, but they’ve have a hard time stomping out Indiana this season. Maybe this series gets weird and goes long, but for that to happen the Pacers will need to figure out the 3-point shot.