For all the talk about the struggles of the Cleveland Cavaliers over the last two months of the season, they have proven they can flip the switch in the playoffs.
The Cavs became the first team to advance to the second round of the postseason with a 106-102 win over the Indiana Pacers, finishing the four-game sweep of the series.
LeBron James led the way once again for the defending champs, recording 33 points, 10 rebounds and four assists. He has now won an NBA-record 21 straight games in the first round of the playoffs over the last six years, including five straight sweeps.
After weathering an initial run from Indiana in the first quarter, the Cavs were in control. They built a 58-52 lead at halftime, and that advantage ballooned to double digits for most of the second half.
.@kevinlove, top QB prospect? He hits @KingJames with the PERFECT full court pass for the and-1! #DefendtheLand #NBA #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/wqbNyPAS3f
— Chat Sports (@ChatSports) April 23, 2017
Another game, another HUGE chasedown block from @KingJames!! #DefendtheLand #NBA #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/mA8bgqJqTf
— Chat Sports (@ChatSports) April 23, 2017
However, the Pacers rallied in the fourth quarter, reeling off a 19-4 run to take a two-point lead with 1:31 remaining in the game. Of course, the King had an answer for that, too. He hit this big three to give the Cavs the lead back, then both Kyle Korver and James made free throws down the stretch to clinch the victory.
.@KingJames gives the Cavs the lead for good!! #DefendtheLand #NBA #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/n1O1oUDR6O
— Chat Sports (@ChatSports) April 23, 2017
Kyrie Irving (28 points) was the only other starter who scored in double figures for the Cavaliers, but Deron Williams helped carry the load with 14 points off the bench.
Paul George had his worst game of the series, dropping 15 points on just 5-21 shooting, and missed a three-pointer that would've tied the game in the closing seconds. Lance Stephenson was Indiana's leading scorer with 22 points off the bench, while Myles Turner recorded 20 points and nine rebounds.
Cleveland will face either the Raptors or Bucks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. That series is tied 2-2.
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