Eastern Conference Semifinals Live Thread: Pacers @ Cavs, Game 5
2025-05-13Good evening CtB!
The Cavs welcome the Indiana Pacers back to the rainy banks of the Cuyahoga River as the good guys try to find some kind of professional pride and actually put some effort on the defensive end and save their season on the brink. So far, the Pacers are on track to have the best shooting playoff series since the 2014 San Antonio Spurs. The Cavs have shown exactly 1.5 games of Cavalier basketball so far this series. Is the defense going to show up for once? Is Kenny Atkinson going to continue with the same tired plan game after game without a single adjustment? Should I even bother watching the softest, most mentally fragile Cavs team in recent memory? Time for all of these multi-millionaire athletes to try rebounding for once… it doesn’t even have to be a win. The one time the Cavs won the rebounding battle decisively, they won by 22.
Tip off is scheduled for 7:00PM Eastern time and will be broadcasted live on the TNT family of networks, Go Cavs.
“ DITTO “ RAOUL —- PACERS / OKC —— WILL BE AN OFFENSIVE DISPLAY—— EVEN A HEALTHY CAVS TEAM—- I WAS NERVOUS GOING AGAINST THE PACERS —— GREAT REGULAR SEASON—- FRUSTRATING/ DISSAPPOINTING POST SEASON—— WILL BE AN INTERESTING OFF SEASON——- BELIEVE/ HOPE THAT WAS ICE s LAST GAME IN A CAVS UNIFORM
both teams played fast and used a lot of players. when we got to this series, the Pacers did, and the Cavs didn’t.
Ty Jerome has been a disappointment the last few games. ** IF ** DG and DM were 100%, it MIGHT have been a reasonable decision to sit Ty. BUT, no later than a couple minutes into the third quarter, it was clear that neither DG or DM was healthy — couldn’t finish a layup, couldn’t shoot threes, rough on foul shots. thus the only hope was that Ty would have a good game. when Ty finally went in, he almost pulled it out. before Ty went in, KA was trying to use Okoro, who was much worse than usual —… Read more »
I’m not second guessing the trade, but Caris would have come in very handy for this series with Ty struggling and DG hurt.
it is alright to question a failed trade.. and it was quite certainly a failed trade.. hunter did not live up to reputation as an elite 3 and D guy..
Hunter was never a homerun. His flaws were known. Cavs just had an excess of ball handlers and needed size and shooting on the wing. Hunter was the best you were going to find with what the Cavs could afford.
agreed.. but it was still a failed trade.. not condemning koby.. but caris + niang >>>>> hunter… look at the “great collapse” we just endured.. not enough minimally competent bodies
Caris and Niang’s last game against Orlando:
3-11, -26
5-11, -20
LeBron is the actual perfect fit for this team and he’s a free agent. Just saying.
Can’t see it happening but I never thought he’d return the first time either…
after watching both games tonight, I am picking the Pacers over OKC in six.
Oops.. Replied to wrong comment…
I think the first two games against NY will tell the tale. First healthy team the Pacers have played in two years
So far this team is starting to feel like those 2012-2016 Clippers teams with CP and Blake Griffin. Great offensive regular season teams that always felt like you could figure them out in a post season setting.
Respectfully, you can figure out any team if you spot them two games without their starting PG
But the Clippers getting derailed by the Sterling nonsense and then Kawhi injuries with a new squad…that might be us fr.
Which to me is ok. I hate teardowns
I don’t think this quite works with the apron stuff
But Allen to the Lakers for AR and a big forward (Vando? DFS? Rui?) is probably the type of move that would be close to the mark in terms of playoff experience and fit
I like it, but I think you’re correct with the second apron, and I don’t think you can combine contracts.
JA has value but I’d rather have a couple of role players who will show up in the playoffs than AR. Reaves is going to be redundant in this offense because at best he should he’s a third option on a championship team. He’s also a shooting guard who can at times be a point guard. That’s right, Donovan Mitchell. He doesn’t move the needle. We already have that 3rd option in DG (Yes, to me he is a 3rd option) and Mobley (who’s supposed to take that leap of consistency at least) With all honesty and history, DM is… Read more »
I think Utah thought this. Portland as well although Dame forced their hand.
you smoking with Corneillisen?
You’re probably right. Allen trades all feel a bit like problem swaps, just make the team different, not better
Did KA get outcoached in this series rather big time? Especially tonight. Carlisle adjusted after quick Cavs start, but Cavs never really countered. Or was KA reasonable and this is more reluctance of guards to run any action for big man touches in the paint?
Obviously frustrating but season was a blast, esp w how they played as a team. And given what has been going (or not going) on in real life etc., a beautiful distraction.
I bet modest changes at most
Agree on all fronts.
me too. KA looked out of his depth when we got to the second round. it is clear that in game 5 DG and DM were not close to 100%. hoping that they were was not going to do it.
Yep that was rather disappointing, but Carlisle is one of the better coaches out there.
I’m not convinced this group is built for the playoffs. You can blame injuries, but at some point they have to show some sort of growth.
If the Cavs do end up making some trades. They should try to recoup some draft capital, if possible.
Let’s get the 2027 rights to a player who might contribute in playoffs by 2030.
This is the way to compete
This feels like a repeat of that Cavs/Knicks series from a couple years ago. Favored to win, but ultimately choke it away (or really just outmatched), ultimately losing 4-1. They were even more favored in this series. I just don’t know how you continue with this group, unless the FO only cares about the regular season, then have at it.
you try to get better and avoid stupid trades
Let’s see after 3 years they’ve beat an offensively challenged Magic team in 7 games and a 10th seed. Keep smoking that hopeium!
Maybe we should add draft capital! Usually that’s a winner
I mostly agree. Two small guards is already a tough sell. You could really see that this series where the Pacers wings smothered them and made life extremely difficult for us. Our O was predicated on ball movement and slash and kick and when their burly perimeter defenders (Nembhard and Nesmith) take that away then the entire O suffers. No denying DG’s talent level but I think he is too redundant and small to fit on this team as constructed. Going to be difficult to get what we need out of a trade though (Orlando with Suggs or Wagner?) DG… Read more »
Garland was the leading scorer by PPG in the Heat series and they have Davion Mitchell
Credit to the Pacers who improved by a lot down the stretch. Garland and Mitchell just too hurt to carry the load on offense and play reasonable D. Bad feet/ankles affected their outside shots. Ty Jerome came in and gave a spark, but was a bad match-up on D with Halliburton on the floor. Next year should bring continued improvement for DG and Evan, and hopefully a real role for Jaylen Tyson. We’ll see if they can find a new home for Isaac Okoro and some new guys to fill out the roster. Playoff injuries have been unkind to us… Read more »
The team has reached its ceiling. Coach Atkinson is the guy. Koby has put up the pieces. It’s in the players. It’s time for changes in the core 4. JA and DG’s time might be up.
Welcome to Cleveland KD (!?!?)
Ugh… no thanks.
Hell no
this is the issue. we want a certain archetype but hate the actual players when it comes down to case.
there are like…3 all-star talents who you could build a package for — KD bc old, Zion bc fat, and Sabonis bc Sacramento. I suppose you could swing something for Ja or Bane if Memphis pivots but those guys don’t quite work.
but buying playoff expertise is just as risky as building it.
KD and Zion are losers.
Maybe there’s no winner available and we run it back then.
get off drugs
I know it’s probably too soon to overanalyze this, but how often did the Pacers run perfect high school basketball sets? The Siakim high post (after switching a smaller Cav on him) worked probably 90% of the time. Another favorite was the 1-5 switch that patiently switched the ball to allow the 5 to pin the 1 to the rim for an easy post layup. They must have run this play a dozen times in the last two games. I agree that the Cavs shrank from the challenge, but they also were not active enough on defense to pressure and… Read more »
When was the last time a small backcourt won anything? Bad Boy Pistons?
probably.. but they also had some big nasty SOBs on the front line.. cavs have mr whipple (aka the charmin bros)..
Two of the nastiest enforcers (maybe the nastiest) in history. Throw Oakley in there but Mahorn and Lambier were two nasty SOBs.
their physicality is (wildly) overrated and they needed injuries to win that first title. They are my favorite old team but they were so much more modern than they are remembered for.
they should be remembered for defensive skill (Rodman guarding 1-5, Salley, Dumars) and the first championship with a stretch big, but the narrative is what it is.
sadly, koby was believing the hype of the regular season (thinking this team was one piece away from a legitimate run).. just a naive assessment by a GM.. i imagine mobley and mitchell are untouchable.. garland ought to return something of real worth via trade, if the FO decides to go that route.. WTF is up with JA ?? he is simply not playoff-grade.. as a whole. the team is professional and competent (in the regular season).. what they accomplished should be acknowledged, but they are by no means elite.. getting to that stage is likely not happening during the… Read more »
Totally agree. Well put.
Is it possible we are Thibodeux’ing our players by going all out in the regular season, and then not having the legs by the playoffs? Lebron knew what he was doing by going chill mode in December and January.
They played less minutes during the regular season than previous years. They were fresh for the playoffs. I think it’s more roster construction and not an experienced enough head coach to push the right buttons.
maybe the three best players being injuried had something to do with it?
You selling excuses this morning?
He’s not wrong. No roster construction works with guys down. Did you watch Indy / Boston or NY / Indy last year? The losses without Haliburton for Indy looked exactly like Games 1-2 for us.
Indy hasn’t won a playoff game without their starting 5.
no, these guys probably need more minutes or a more intense defensive scheme. guys get hurt anyways, might as well ramp up for the post season instead of coasting.
I liked what the Pacers did on pressing and I think we could have a really fun high-pace bench unit if Sam keeps improving defensively and you play Tyson and Green and others with Mobley at C.
Eastern Conference regular season meant nothing, basically.
Thanks for a great season, guys. Love you.
Thank you and the guys for building an enjoyable place to talk Cavs etc.
right
Thank you, Nate, Chris, Eli, and all commenters!
It was a magical regular season + round 1, then a crushing loss to a really impressive (in my opinion) Pacers team.
It’s always 10x more fun to follow the ups and downs while hearing from all of you. Thank you for the work you put into this year after year!
Thanks Nate! So much enjoyable stuff this year. Wish our guys had been healthy to show what they can do.
Thanks Nate, CLF & Eli for great content all season. Shame it ended with such a whimper, cold comfort that Boston is also looking unlikely.
same. same to you too Nate!
Can we trade Okoro to China for an egg roll?
Two way wings win in this league. Nembhard and Nesmith were absolute difference makers. We dont have guys like that
Mathurin too.
Yep. Our guys are way too one dimensional. Works in the regular season but gets exposed big time in the playoffs
and I love DG,but I think his size and small frame are a lot to overcome against big physical teams with another smaller guard in Mitchell.
I agree, they’re at a physical disadvantage against too many of the upper echelon teams as long as they start two small or smallish guards plus a SG in the 3 spot.
Yep 100%
And it comes to a merciful end ☠️
Thank god 😂
cavs are soft in mind and body.. JA nothing but a roll of charmin.. sad.. time to make some changes.. unless you like post-season collapses..
You’re 2024-25 Cleveland Cavaliers!
Knew Turner was making that. He was the best player this game.
Pacers – Knicks. 😐
That’s a terrible call.
How do you go from sweeping Miami to getting gentleman swept by Indy. A bunch of paper tiger frauds. I don’t know how you continue with this same group. Trade Okoro or send him to the G League!
Okoro?!? Who gives a shit about him. He is the 9th man. JA and DG gotta go
Yep them too!
They absolutely do.
don’t listen to the idiots
That is it. Nice O. Jerome misses a 3, Spida the putback.
Great regular season. Untimely injuries, cold shooting, and bad decision making doomed us.
Indy played better and deserved to win.
I am not a blow it up type.
Indy exposed us man. This is who they are. I agree but we are not nearly as talented as we think and this series showed exactly that-
yup. the health was a problem in G1 but we let them catch a wave.
very interested to see how they handle a healthy team in NY.
Game over.
The Cavs playing the dumbest basketball.
A couple times Mobley’s brought the ball up court but stopped and gave it up at the 3 pt line; I think he should be more aggressive, press the attack early and try to get to the rim. Bc the PG he keeps giving it up to can barely walk.
Bad decision by Hunter there
How do you not get Garland off the floor!?
Is CPJ not a better PG option “right now” than an All Star who literally can barely walk?!
Too much iso.
DG has to come out
Can’t say a bad word about Strus in this series, but it’s so unfortunate his shot has deserted him today.
Cavs hunting Shepherd. Pacers hunting Jerome.
Stop chucking! Argh.
No more DG early shot clock pull-ups, please!
Stop the off the dribble 3s.
Mobley, Hunter, & Jerome have been excellent.
Max is 0/8, 0/5 from deep. And too small to guard Siakam.
1 point game.
And we get the FT miss and bucket.
Within 1. Life in the building.
Need to keep the momentum.. cant play from behind the rest of the way..
Indy tends to have a response everytime.. so lets see what defense the Cavs have in these new few possessions.
Lets go!!!!! Come on!!!!
Ugh. Garland back
Argh. DM. Gotta pull that out
I hate that call.
Chance to get it down to 4.
No FGs for 7 minutes.
we need a Cavalanche the save the season, cant afford to go cold down 9 already.
Down 9.
Gonna take a special quarter. Having watched the first 3, I am less optimistic than when we started.
Mitchell, Jerome, Hunter, Mobley + 1. Allen or Wade or Strus. I’d go JA.
This isn’t going to be a masterpiece, but it’s a 9 point game. C’mon Cavs!
12 more minutes. Please no more Garland
Blow it up…Allen, DG, and Okoro all need to be moved this offseason, build around Mobs and DM.
Ty Jerome!
Mow let’s get some stops.
At least, let’s not go quietly into that good night.
dn 68-80 with 3m left in 3rd Q.. hmm.. garland 3-11 and 0-4 for a whopping 7 pts.. JA with 3 rebs ??so soft.. mitchell (the warrior) with 16.. so, kenny has seen enough of ty ? 3 pts in 1m ? going down like a b-17.. 3 engines smoking and no tail gunner.. the 109s are simply too much.. sad.. no easy fixes to this mediocrity..
Thank goodness someone found the real Ty Jerome and brought him back to Cleveland.
Ton of iso.
Garland doesn’t have to take every shot!
I have seen enough from DG. He gave it a go, but does not have it.
How many point blank layups have DG and Donovan missed in Q3? About 4 combined? Jeez!
JFC get Garland off the floor.
Put Ty in. We need offense.
Cavs have 21 pts in 12 min and gave up 48. Thats the season right there.. Im sorry.
This is from the 8 min mark .. so 8:10 (when they had 44 vs 25) to now down 65-73.
Okoro didn’t trust his shot. Those are the shots you want to take. Kenny gotta try something new.
Yes got the kick out for a wide open 3 and got cold feet. Unplayable if he’s too scared to shoot that.
He dropped the ball. If we are thinking the same play.
Different one?
I’m sorry, give me Ty who would at least drive and try a floater.
Mitchell to the locker room.
Im tired of watching these frauds
Evan and JA are 10-16 FG (63%), everyone else is 12-39 (30%)
Okoro iso to Mobley kickout, brilliant fucking offense
I love Kenny Atkinson making zero adjustments, zero changes at all just run out the same guys, same rotations.
I mean he recognized Ty needed to come “out” of the rotation. I still don’t understand: (1) why Okoro is a better option to fill in the backcourt for a few minutes than CPJ; and (2) why Jaylen is completely unplayable when half the roster is playing hurt and on fumes.
no FG in 4 minutes… just no offense for the Cavs. and no offensive rebounds.
Stop chucking.jfc