Gallery: 5/9
East: No. 7 Indiana Pacers vs. No. 2 Cleveland Cavaliers
Matchup to Watch: Paul George vs. LeBron James
Outlook: Will Paul George and LeBron James defend each other? Time will tell especially on the Cavs side. There will be times where the two matchup even if the Cavs opt to conserve James' energy by having him defend another player. The Cavaliers were able to take three of four games against the Pacers this season. One thing to keep an eye on is the way these two teams finished the season. Cleveland cared very little about the final games of the regular season and their seeding. The Cavs lost their final four games. Indiana has essentially been playing in the playoffs the past two weeks as they were competing for one of the final spots in the East. Indiana has won five straight games and has had to play at a high intensity level heading into the playoffs. Will the Cavs be able to flip a switch like we all expect them to or use their desperation to their advantage as the series starts? Cleveland is too talented to lose this series, but do not be surprised if their lull carries over into the playoffs causing them to drop one of the first two games.
Prediction: Cavaliers in 6 games (Getty)