Indiana Pacers play Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA playoffs
Cavaliers small forward Lebron James shoots the basketball from behind the arc at Banker’s Life Fieldhouse in game 3 of the first round of the NBA Playoffs on April 20. The Cavaliers beat the Pacers 119-114. Photo used with permission of Brian Randol.
April 21, 2017
2017 NBA Playoffs have begun, and the Indiana Pacers are the number seven seed in the Eastern conference. This means that they play the number two seed, Cleveland Cavaliers, in the first round.
“Indiana is the home of basketball, so whenever a team is in a national tournament or playoff, I’m pulling for them,” freshman Eleanor Albin said. “I was incredibly happy when the Pacers won and were in the playoffs.”
After winning, Indiana knew that they would be facing the Cavaliers in the first round. Throughout the season, the series ended up being 3-1 Cleveland, meaning the Pacers only won one game the whole season against the team.
The post season brings a whole new level of competition to the team. The Pacers have to learn how to play harder and longer, according to Albin.
Last year the Pacers lost in game seven of the first round to the Toronto Raptors, 84-89. The team hopes to make it far in the playoffs but George must ‘elevate his game,’ according to head coach Nate McMillan before game one.
“In all honesty, I don’t know if the Pacers will make it past the Cavaliers,” Albin said. “I hope that they do but with the way that they’re playing, it won’t happen.”
The Pacers lost this series to the Cavaliers 4-0. This is the first time in franchise history that the Pacers have been swept in the postseason.
With the end of the season, Pacers small forward Paul George does not know what his future with Indiana will hold, according to theScore. For more information on the Pacers and trade details, click here.
