Live Thread: Cavs @ Pacers (#AreWeThereYet?)

No, this is not a shameless plug for a movie I worked on once upon a time (although see it if you haven’t… it’s a good time — okay maybe it is a shameless plug… and speaking of plugs, make sure you read Robert’s excellent Point Four-ward from earlier today), but more of how I’m feeling as a Cavs’ fan around this time of year. I’m sure the players feel the same way as the season winds down to its inevitable conclusion. Despite being on the doorstep of clinching the number one overall seed in the Eastern Conference (and maybe because of that fact), Ty Lue has decided to rest LeBron James on the second night of this final back-to-back of the season.

The bad news… the Cavs are 1-3 this season and 4-13 the past two seasons in games James sits out. The good news… it never hurts to give LBJ a night off to stay fresh for the playoffs, and it gives Lue another opportunity to see how Kyrie, Kevin and the rest of the squad can function during the few minutes of rest he’ll be giving King James in the post-season.

Iman Shumpert will get the start in place of LeBron, and will be joined by Kyrie, Kevin, J.R. and Timo. The Pacers most likely will counter with George Hill, Monta Ellis, Paul George, Lavoy Allen and Ian Mahinmi.

You can tune in to see the action on ESPN, Fox Sports Ohio, or listen in on 100.7 WMMS.

Prediction: The Cavs get rolling for a bit, but ultimately blow a tire against a Pacers team trying to hang onto its playoff position, and go down 99-95. Not to worry though… the Cavs are nearly to their post-season destination.