Live Thread: Cavs @ Pacers (#PaceYourself)

The Cavaliers take their seemingly speedier show on the road for a couple of games before returning home for a quick quartet of contests prior to the All Star Break. Tonight’s foe, the Indiana Pacers, generally live up to their fast and furious nickname… clocking in with the seventh best pace of play in the NBA (currently at 99.57 possessions per 48 minutes). So, we’ll see if the Cavs’ pace (or at least the efficiency of their recent more urgent style) will be enough to match the tempo of their hosts.

Posting at least ten fast-break points in their first five games with Tyronn Lue at the helm, the Cavs (34-12) are averaging 13.8 per game, and are in the midst of a four game winning streak. They will also look for a third consecutive game of getting all three of their stars over the 20 point mark (they now sport a 9-1 record when this happens), as LeBron, Kyrie and Kevin continue to share the ball and the scoring load.

The Pacers (25-22), who had been slowed by a six loss in seven game slump in mid-January, have revved things up again lately, beating the Hawks and the Nuggets in their last two. Paul George hasn’t quite been in gear as much as he was earlier in the season, but Monta Ellis and rookie Myles Turner have helped keep the motor running. The Pacers are also still capable of ratcheting up the defense with Frank Vogel calling the shots, and they’ll undoubtedly be up for this rematch after dropping their first meeting with the Cavs back in November, 101-97.

Probable starting lineup for the Cavs includes: Kyrie Irving, J.R. Smith, LeBron James, Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson. And, for the Pacers: Monta Ellis, George Hill, Paul George, Myles Turner and Jordan Hill.

Game time is 7 p.m. (EST), and action can be seen on NBATV and FSO, or heard on 1100 WTAM.

Prediction: Cavs continue to pick up the pace and slow down the Pacers… 112-103.

Let’s pick up the pace ya’ll!