Live Thread: Pacers @ Cavs

Heading into the seventh game of the season, there’s a lot to of reasons for the Cleveland Cavaliers and their fans to be happy with how the 2015-2016 campaign has started. After a 5-1 start, the Cavaliers are currently tied with the Toronto Raptors for the second best record in the Eastern Conference. Even more encouraging is their +10.2 point differential, second only to the Golden State Warriors in the entire NBA. LeBron James looks as explosive as ever. Mo Williams has been tremendous on the offensive end. Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson are both among the top ten in the NBA in rebounds per game. Matthew Dellavedova seems to have taken a major step forward as an offensive player. Richard Jefferson seems like a huge upgrade over Shawn Marion and Mike Miller.

Despite all of those positives, there are still areas that the Cavaliers both can and need to improve upon before they are truly the title contender we all expect them to be. Much of this improvement will simply come when Kyrie Irving and Iman Shumpert return to action. With J.R. Smith recently missing time due to a bone bruise in his knee as well as quadriceps tendinitis, the Cavaliers have been without three critical rotation players. This has been part of the reason why recent games against the  New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers have been closer than one would expect.

Injuries aren’t the only reason these games have been close though. Like many of the more talented teams in the NBA, the Cavaliers have a habit of coasting at times, particularly against lesser opponents. My wife and I went to Friday night’s game against Philadelphia, and the Cavs’ on/off switch had never been more apparent. Throughout the game, the Cavaliers would build a lead against the Sixers, only to take their foot (feet?) off the pedal the last few minutes of each quarter and let Nerlens Noel and company back into the game. As EvilGenius pointed out in his recap, the Cavaliers were outscored 39-10 over the last two minutes of each quarter combined. While this may not have hurt them against the 76ers, bad habits like this would likely cost the Cavaliers a game against a more dangerous opponent.

The Indiana Pacers could very well be the opponent who takes advantage of the Cavaliers’ complacency. After starting the season 0-3, the Pacers have battled back to .500 after defeating the Miami Heat 90-87 on Friday night. Paul George was absolutely magnificent against the Heat, torching them for 36 points along with 12 rebounds, three assists, three steals, and a block. Indiana is in the midst of a transformation from the plodding defense-first style that had served them so well in recent years to the kind of up tempo pace-and-space style that is so prevalent in the league today. They’re going to have their fair share of hiccups along the way, but with George, along with Monta Ellis and George Hill, the Pacers are capable of upsetting any team in the league.

Game time is 3:30 EST. Fans can watch on Fox Sports Ohio and listen on WTAM 1100. Tune in and go “All In” with the Cavaliers as they try to earn their sixth victory in a row.