PREMIUM
Game of the Month (Rogers' 10* NBA) >> SICK 6-1 With Playoff Totals!
(NBA) Cleveland vs. Indiana,
Total: 212.50 | -105.00 Under
Result: Loss
Total: 212.50 | -105.00 Under
Result: Loss
The set-up: The Cavs overcame the largest halftime deficit (25 points) in postseason history in Game 3 to take a 3-0 in their first round series against the Pacers. Indiana built a 26-point, third-quarter lead in Game 3, before the Cavaliers rallied to deliver the third-largest comeback victory in postseason history. After suffering one of the worst collapses in NBA playoff history, the Pacers take the court on Sunday looking to avoid a four-game sweep.
Cleveland: LBJ scored 41 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and handed out 12 assists in leading the way for the Cavs. "LeBron willed us home, 41, 12 and 13, played the whole second half," Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue told reporters. "That's what playoff basketball is all about. You got to be willing to sacrifice and lay it on the line to win a game, and that's what he did for us." No one should really be surprised, as LBJ has done this before. LBJ moved into third place on the NBA's postseason scoring list (5,669) -- passing Kobe Bryant -- with his latest outing and is averaging 32.7-9.7-10.7 in the series. He connected on six three pointers, as Cleveland went 21-of-44 from three-point range (47.7%) and now have made 45 three-pointers through three games.
Indiana: Paul George had 36 points and a postseason career-best 15 rebounds in Game 3 and is now averaging 32.3 PPG in teh series. However, Turner and Miles are both averaging only 7.7 PPG and have been the targets of George's criticism. It's now or never for the Pacers, who at best, can send this series back to Cleveland for a Game 5.
The pick: The Pacers were stunned after the 119-114 loss as they went from being on the verge of making it a series to basically having no chance "'Do you want to go home or not?' That's the mentality," Indiana swingman C.J. Miles told reporters. "That's how you get over it. 'Do you want to keep playing?' That's pretty much the only thing you can take into the next game." Point guard Jeff Teague is among the players talking the good fight, saying "we're playing for pride now. We're all competitors in here and we all believe in one another. We're not getting swept." Indiana is averaging 111.0 PPG in the series (averaged 105.1 during the season) but has allowed Cleveland to average 111.0 PPG (allowed 105.3 in the regular season) on 51.0 percent shooting, not to mention averaging making 15 three-pointers per game. Can (will) the Pacers live to fight another day? Maybe bu the Over is a 10* play.
Cleveland: LBJ scored 41 points, grabbed 13 rebounds and handed out 12 assists in leading the way for the Cavs. "LeBron willed us home, 41, 12 and 13, played the whole second half," Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue told reporters. "That's what playoff basketball is all about. You got to be willing to sacrifice and lay it on the line to win a game, and that's what he did for us." No one should really be surprised, as LBJ has done this before. LBJ moved into third place on the NBA's postseason scoring list (5,669) -- passing Kobe Bryant -- with his latest outing and is averaging 32.7-9.7-10.7 in the series. He connected on six three pointers, as Cleveland went 21-of-44 from three-point range (47.7%) and now have made 45 three-pointers through three games.
Indiana: Paul George had 36 points and a postseason career-best 15 rebounds in Game 3 and is now averaging 32.3 PPG in teh series. However, Turner and Miles are both averaging only 7.7 PPG and have been the targets of George's criticism. It's now or never for the Pacers, who at best, can send this series back to Cleveland for a Game 5.
The pick: The Pacers were stunned after the 119-114 loss as they went from being on the verge of making it a series to basically having no chance "'Do you want to go home or not?' That's the mentality," Indiana swingman C.J. Miles told reporters. "That's how you get over it. 'Do you want to keep playing?' That's pretty much the only thing you can take into the next game." Point guard Jeff Teague is among the players talking the good fight, saying "we're playing for pride now. We're all competitors in here and we all believe in one another. We're not getting swept." Indiana is averaging 111.0 PPG in the series (averaged 105.1 during the season) but has allowed Cleveland to average 111.0 PPG (allowed 105.3 in the regular season) on 51.0 percent shooting, not to mention averaging making 15 three-pointers per game. Can (will) the Pacers live to fight another day? Maybe bu the Over is a 10* play.
