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5 things we learned from the Cavaliers’ sweep of the Pacers

By Akash Anavarathan

Apr 23, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) walks off the floor to the locker room after winning against the Indiana Pacers in game four of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Cleveland defeats Indiana 106-102. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 23, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) walks off the floor to the locker room after winning against the Indiana Pacers in game four of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Cleveland defeats Indiana 106-102. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Cleveland Cavaliers finished off the Indiana Pacers in a quick, four-game sweep on Sunday afternoon. Let’s take a look at five things we learned from this first round series.

The storylines heading into this series, were 180 degrees opposite from what they are now that the series is over. For the Cavaliers, they had lost four in a row and punted on the No. 1 seed after losing winnable games. Their defense looked miserable and, as a team, they looked disjointed.

They stumbled into the No. 2 seed and questions surrounded the team on a potential championship run. Could this be the year that LeBron finally doesn’t make the Finals? Will another Eastern Conference foe dethrone the Cavaliers?

On the other hand, Indiana was rolling into the playoffs. They had won five straight and had the Eastern Conference Player of the Month in Paul George and the Eastern Conference Coach of the Month in Nate McMillan.

Many wondered, could the Pacers pose a threat to the Cavaliers? Well, four close games later, it became obvious that the Cavaliers were the better coached, more talented and deeper team.

Led by the best player on the planet, LeBron James, the Cavaliers took care of business in the first-round, sweeping the Pacers. But what did this first-round series show us about both teams? Let’s take a look at five different storylines now that the series is over.

5. Lance Stephenson is meant to be a Pacer

It was late March and Lance Stephenson had been on his couch playing video games. His phone rang and it was the Indiana Pacers calling him to come back home and be a part of their team for their playoffs’ run. It was an offer the ex-Pacers’ forward couldn’t resist.

After his last season as a Pacer in 2013-14, the Charlotte Hornets signed Stephenson to a big contract that he never lived up to. Stephenson couldn’t match his output from the 2013-14 season, where he averaged 13.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 4.6 assists.

Since then, he played with the Memphis Grizzlies, Los Angeles Clippers, New Orleans Pelicans, Minnesota Timberwolves, but it just didn’t feel the same. At all those other stops, people began to wonder if Stephenson was just a one-year wonder, who will be forever plagued by his immaturity and antics on the court.

But this first-round series showed that Lance Stephenson is meant to wear the Blue and Gold for the rest of his career. In four games with the Pacers in the playoffs, Stephenson averaged 16.0 points and 5.3 rebounds, while shooting 51 percent from the field and 39 percent on 3-pointers.

Stephenson infused energy and shooting into a lineup that desperately needed it. He was also solid on the defensive end, checking LeBron while George took his breather.

“Born Ready” as many like to call him, will be here for another two years, as part of the three-year, $12 million deal he signed. This series against the Cavaliers showed exactly why Stephenson was worthy of that contract.

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