Indiana Paise Point Guard Tieres Haliberton is not resting on her laurel. After making a series-winning shot in the overtime of Game 5 against the Milwauki box in the first round, he is ready for his next challenge.
Top seed Cleveland Cavallers Eastern Conference is the next for fourth seeding Indiana in the semi -finals, starting on Sunday night in Cleveland.
“If you want to be the best, you will beat the best,” Heliberton said. “So yes, we look forward to it.”
Cleveland demolished the Miami heat in the early stages, winning all four games by NBA-Cord 122 combined points. Cavaliers completed the sweep with a win of 138-83 in Miami, setting another league record for the biggest difference in a closeout game.
Pacers had a much more competitive chain with boxes, highlighted by his 119–118 overtime Triumph in the finale. Haliberton’s game-winning basket completed an epic comeback, which saw Milwauki a lead of 118–111 with 40 seconds remaining.
Indiana’s underraged depth Pascal Ciacam, Heliberton, Miles Turner, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nemith, Benedict Mathurin and TJ McConel fully shine in the fight, which is average of all double figures. Siakam led 19.8 per game.
Kavelirs Center Geratte Alan said, “It is difficult to repeat what they do in practice because they are a difficult team to prepare.” “They are all circumference players and they are clearly the fastest transition team in the league.”
NBA field-target percentage champion Alan admitted that Turner presented a unique problem with his ability to create 3-pointers at one end and make block shots on the other, given that he usually does not defend outside the paint.
“I am not really comfortable doing it, so I just have to try and reduce the loss there,” Alan said.
Cleveland Power Forward Ivan Moble – NBA Defense Player of the Year – believes that he can flip the table against Siakam in a similar way. For the first time, All-Star somewhat an average of 16.3 points and 6.5 rebounds against Miami, but is very capable.
“I am going to use my length on him,” Moblay said. “He goes to his shot and drops them down, so my job is stopping him from reaching there.”
The Cavelirs Point Guard Daryas Garland’s position is either the biggest question mark on the squad. The all-star recalled the last two matches against Miami after injuring his left big toe and was listed as a suspect for Game 1.
Sixth Man of the Year finalist Ty Jerome will start if Garland cannot play, but coach Kenny Atkinson said that a decision would not be taken until just before the tipoff.
“We are in such an area, where we will see day by day, see how she feels tomorrow morning,” Etkinson said. “I have seen Darius in a bucket of ice and I have seen him in a hot bucket. We have found DG to find out tomorrow and we want to leave from there.”
Although Cleveland went 64–18 in the regular season, the second best point in the league, Indiana won four of her meetings. Neither coach, however, puts more stock in those results.
“When you arrive in the second round of the playoffs, things are high,” said pacers coach Rick Carlisley. “Level of competition, stage. Many things to get excited.”
Cleveland has won two of its last three Postsen series against The Pacific, recently in 2018 when Lebron James took Cavalirs in the initial phase in the game 7 win. Indiana is 6-9 in the playoff game against Cave.
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