Live Thread: Cavs vs. Pacers (#NoFoolin’)

The month of March was no laughing matter for the Cavs. In fact, the 31 day stretch… populated with 17 games, including 12 on the road and five back-to-backs, must have seemed like one long set up for the worst kind of April Fools joke. But, it’s over now. The Cavs got back on the winning track to close out their forced march through March with a win over a significantly depleted Sixers squad. Now, they look to extend their fortune on the second game of a three game home stand with the Indiana Pacers in town. Normally, early April would be a prime time for fooling around with lineups and getting extra rest for starters, yet the wine & gold find themselves in the thick of not only jockeying for playoff position, but also still trying to get a rhythm going for all of their new pieces.

The Pacers, once firmly in position for the sixth seed in the EC, have fallen apart a bit of late. They’ve lost three in a row, and are just 3-7 in their last 10, dropping into a tie for the seventh/eighth spot with Chicago and Miami. They’re still powered by their star forward, Paul George, but he’s openly questioned the team’s sense of urgency as they stumble towards the end of the season. Indiana did, however, bring back their former resident prankster and ear whisperer, Lance Stephenson, on a three year deal.

Pacers finalizing deal with Lance Stephenson after waiving Rodney Stuckey. @ShamsCharania & @WojVerticalNBA report. https://t.co/INIqsUoMWW pic.twitter.com/d7Io6CnoJ1

— Ball Don’t Lie (@Balldontlie) March 29, 2017

Did the Pacers sign Lance with the expectation that they’d wind up meeting the Cavs in round one? Possibly… although it remains to be seen if the two teams will finish the season in the requisite seeds that would result in that matchup. The Cavs have won the last two meetings with the Pacers after dropping the first one this season. Cleveland should have everyone available with the exception of Kyle Korver (foot) and Richard Jefferson (knee tendonitis). The Pacers will likely be without Al Jefferson (ankle) and Glenn Robinson III (calf).

Cavs probable starters: Kyrie Irving, J.R. Smith, LeBron James, Kevin Love, Tristan Thompson. Pacers probable starters: Jeff Teague, Monta Ellis, Paul George, Thaddeus Young, Myles Turner.

Prediction: Cavs don’t fool around with the Pacers, and get April rolling with a 112-106 victory.

Catch all the action on Fox Sports Ohio starting at 6pm EST.