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Forbes
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Indiana Pacers Ability To Be Themselves Will Define Series Vs Cleveland Cavaliers
CLEVELAND, OHIO - JANUARY 12: Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers runs a play while being ... More guarded by Isaac Okoro #35 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second quarter at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on January 12, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by) INDIANAPOLIS – The top offense in the 2025 NBA playoffs so far belongs to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The second best offense in the postseason has been the Indiana Pacers. Sunday night, the two teams will begin a best-of-seven set that is fascinating thanks to the two teams often using similar methods to win – score often, then get enough stops to come out on top. In the regular season, that led to the Pacers having the ninth-best offense and 14th best defense. Cleveland, meanwhile, finished first and eighth in those categories, respectively. Indiana's incredibly slow start makes their net rating(s) somewhat misleading, but the Cavaliers numbers accurately show what they are – a terrific team that is hard to stop. The Pacers will do everything they can to topple them in round two, and the story of the series may be the specific way they try to earn four wins. Will the blue and gold opt for defensive-focused lineups and try to slow down the Cavs? Or will they opt to put their best offensive groups and the floor and hope to outscore the East's top seed? Both strategies have merit, and Indiana is confident despite the challenge ahead of them. 'They're the number one team. Offensively, defensively, they do a good job. They have big bodies, they have really good guards, and they have a good bench,' Pacers forward Pascal Siakam said of the upcoming series against the Cavaliers. 'They're definitely a complete team. So it's definitely a challenge.' Cleveland makes everything look simple. Their top backcourt stars, Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell, were both top 45 in scoring this season. They each ranked in the top 38 in assists per game. Both of them can get into the paint, hit jump shots, and keep the ball moving. They are an additive pair, especially on offense, and keep Cleveland humming. In the frontcourt, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen form one of the best defensive duos in the league. Mobley just won Defensive Player Of The Year while Allen is a great rebounder (9.7 per game) and rim protector. They anchor a top-1o defense while combining to score 32 points per game and complement both Mitchell and Garland well. Those four players form a terrific base of an elite team. Add in excellent role players – some of whom Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle has gushed about this week – like De'Andre Hunter, Max Strus, Dean Wade, Isaac Okoro, Sam Merrill, and Ty Jerome, and an elite squad is formed. That's what the Cavs are – they won 64 games and are the top seed in the East for a reason. 'They're the best team in the East for a reason. They've got a lot of depth. They shoot the ball well, defend at a high level, rebound at a high level. They've got everything,' Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton said of Cleveland. 'They're a really good team… It's an exciting time. We're excited to compete against those guys.' That's the group the Pacers are tasked with defeating. It will be difficult. But it isn't impossible, and the blue and gold have shown that they aren't easy to vanquish either across the last two years of postseason play. They, too, are a high-powered offense and a solid defense. That makeup got them past the Milwaukee Bucks in round one. Now, they have a stronger opponent and will have to decide what to lean on. Indiana's offense won them their first-round series as they generated high quality shots on almost every possession. Focusing on their offense may be the best way to keep up with the Cavs. INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JANUARY 14: Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers drives to the basket ... More against Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on January 14, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by) Yet there is a reality where going all-in on scoring isn't enough for the Pacers to keep up with Cleveland. Last year, the Pacers played the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals and fell 4-0 despite some outings with high point totals. Indiana couldn't get enough stops against the NBA's top offense in 2024 – though to their credit, almost nobody could. Haliburton got hurt against Boston, and that makes it hard to analyze those games. But the Pacers needed more defensive pressure in that best-of-seven set and didn't generate it. Is it possible that, after a year of defensive improvement, they can rely somewhat on the less glamorous end of the floor against another high-octane offense? Starting guard Andrew Nembhard grew as a perimeter defender this season and just did well against Damian Lillad (pre-injury) in the first round. On the wing, Aaron Nesmith has continued his ascent as a defensive weapon this year. Those two will take on the Mitchell and Garland assignments and will need to be as disruptive as possible. Myles Turner has always been a rock-solid defender near the rim, though he will have his hands full with Allen. Ben Sheppard should have utility in this series as a defensive-focused wing. Bennedict Mathurin has always dreamed of being an elite two-way player, and this series will be a crucial time for it. Altogether, the Pacers do have defensive talent – and they are fortunate in that their best defenders play important positions when it comes to matching up with the Cavs. But that hasn't mattered for Cleveland's opponents this season. The 64-win team had an elite offensive rating with most rotation combinations on the floor, they're hard to stop regardless of who is opposite them. 'They're deep. They've done a great job all regular season of being one of the best offenses, one of the best defenses,' Nembhard said of his team's first-round opponent. 'They shoot the three really well. They spread you out, they play together.' As the Pacers consider their options when it comes to tipping toward offense or defense, they should come back to their identity. It is significant for Indiana that they have become a good-enough group on the defensive end, but they are known for their ability to generate open field goal attempts and put the ball in the net. They were fourth in the NBA this season in effective field goal percentage. The Pacers take, and make, high-quality shots. As the Pacers prepared for the postseason, they made it clear that while they were focusing on their opponents, they had a stronger focus on themselves. Being able to execute their style in the playoffs felt like a must. As they move to the second round, that thinking becomes more important than ever. While it would be understandable for Indiana to trust their improved defense and shift some of their lineup and strategy decisions toward slowing the Cavs down, the team needs their offense to be exceptional to get past Cleveland. Scoring often, and thus being able to set their defense, could actually be the best way to stop the Cavaliers. 'They have a great roster,' Carlisle said of the Cavs. 'They've really become a veteran team… (Cavs head coach) Kenny Atkinson has done a great job.' The current Indiana core has three playoff series wins in the last two years, and they won twice in 2024 as the higher seed. They are capable of pulling off upsets. But they have to be themselves and be a consistently-threatening offense to reach the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals. The Cavs are possibly their toughest test yet, and if the Pacers can't flash their typical identity, they'll be searching for answers all series long.
Miami Herald
03-04-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Cavs cool off Knicks with fourth-quarter outburst
Donovan Mitchell scored 27 points to pace the Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland Cavaliers, as they used a fourth-quarter run to put away the visiting New York Knicks 124-105 on Wednesday night. Cleveland (61-15) went on a 20-6 run early in the third quarter to pull ahead after trailing by nine points, but New York rallied to force an 83-all tie late in the period. The Cavaliers then ripped off eight straight, including back-to-back easy buckets for Isaac Okoro, to jump-start a game-changing run. Cleveland went on a 15-3 spurt that carried over into the fourth quarter, while holding New York without a field goal for the first 2:48 of the period. By the time Precious Achiuwa ended the drought, the Cavaliers opened up a double-digit-point lead they held the rest of the way. Six Cavaliers scored in double-figures, including Jarrett Allen, who finished with 21 points on 10-of-11 shooting from the floor. Allen added a team-high eight rebounds. Darius Garland added 17 points and six assists, De'Andre Hunter scored 16 off the bench, and Okoro went for 11 points and six rebounds in reserve duty. Evan Mobley chipped in 13 points. New York (48-28) got a 25-point, 13-rebound double-double from Karl-Anthony Towns, who returned after missing Tuesday's first leg of the back-to-back. However, Cleveland forced Towns into seven turnovers. OG Anunoby added 23 points for the Knicks, going 5-of-8 from 3-point range. Josh Hart finished with 19 points and Achiuwa posted 13 points with six rebounds off the bench. With the win, the Cavaliers tied the franchise record for the second-most wins in a regular season with the 2009-10 team. Cleveland, which has won five of its last six, also ended New York's three-game winning streak. The Knicks' lead over the Indiana Pacers for third place in the East sits at three games, while Cleveland maintains a five-game edge over the Boston Celtics for the top spot in the conference. The Cavaliers and Knicks meet again on April 11 in New York. --Field Level Media Field Level Media 2023 - All Rights Reserved
USA Today
20-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Cleveland Cavaliers at Brooklyn Nets odds, picks and predictions
The Cleveland Cavaliers (44-10) and the Brooklyn Nets (20-34) meet Thursday at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's NBA odds around the Cavaliers vs. Nets odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets. Season series: Cavaliers lead 2-0 The Cavaliers roughed up the Nets 130-101 in Brooklyn Dec. 16, the most recent meeting between the 2 teams. Cleveland covered as a 10-point favorite while the Over (215.5) cashed. The Cavs are 7-1 straight up (SU) in the past 8 meetings since March 21, 2023, although both teams are 4-4 against the spread (ATS) in the span. Cleveland won 4 in a row, and 8 of 9 games, prior to the All-Star break. It covered the previous 2 games and went 6-3 ATS in the past 9 outings. The Over has cashed in 3 in a row and gone 6-2 in the past 8 contests. Brooklyn won 100-96 as a 1.5-point favorite over Philadelphia prior to the break on Feb. 12 as the Under (210) cashed. The Nets are 6-1 SU/ATS in the past 7 games, while the Under has gone 10-1 in the past 11 outings. Cavaliers at Nets odds Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:46 a.m. ET. Moneyline (ML) : Cavaliers -900 (bet $900 to win $100) | Nets +600 (bet $100 to win $600) : Cavaliers -900 (bet $900 to win $100) | Nets +600 (bet $100 to win $600) Against the spread : Cavaliers -12.5 (-115) | Nets +12.5 (-105) : Cavaliers -12.5 (-115) | Nets +12.5 (-105) Over/Under (O/U): 225.5 (O: -110 | U: -110) Cavaliers at Nets key injuries Cavaliers G Ty Jerome (calf) questionable (calf) questionable G Isaac Okoro (shoulder) questionable (shoulder) questionable F Dean Wade (knee) out Nets G Bojan Bogdanovic (foot) out (foot) out F Noah Clowney (ankle) out (ankle) out G Cam Thomas (hamstring) out For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report. Play our free daily Pick'em Challenge and win! Play now! Cavaliers at Nets picks and predictions Prediction Cavaliers 121, Nets 109 Moneyline The Cavaliers (-900) will cost you 9 times your potential return, and that's way too much risk for not nearly enough reward. There is never a reason to bet such a heavy favorite, as either a standalone wager or part of a multi-leg parlay. PASS. The NETS +12.5 (-105) are the lean, but go with a half-unit play at most. Brooklyn closed out the pre-break play with a 6-1 SU/ATS run in the previous 7 games. Not only did it cover as a 12.5-point underdog in Houston Feb. 1, but Brooklyn won outright. The Cavaliers -12.5 (-115) are 4-1 ATS in the past 5 games as double-digit favorites, but Cleveland is 1-1 ATS in 2 tries as a double-digit favorite against Brooklyn this season. OVER 225.5 (-110) is worth a look in this battle. The Over has cashed at a 6-3 clip in the past 9 meetings since Dec. 26, 2022. Cleveland has hit the Over in 3 in a row, while going 6-2 in the past 8 games and 8-3 across the previous 11 outings since Jan. 24. For Brooklyn, though, it's all about the Under lately, going 3-0 in the past 3 games, 10-1 in the past 11 outings, and 12-2 across the past 14 since Jan. 15. For more sports betting picks and tips, check out and BetFTW. Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook. Access more NBA coverage: HoopsHype | Bulls Wire | Celtics Wire | Nets Wire | Rockets Wire | Sixers Wire | Spurs Wire | Thunder Wire | Warriors Wire | LeBron Wire | Rookie Wire | List Wire
New York Times
06-02-2025
- Business
- New York Times
Mock trade: Chicago deals Lonzo Ball to Detroit for Tim Hardaway Jr.
Fourteen. That's the key number to watch as we head to the trade deadline, and one that isn't getting enough attention outside team finance departments. With just a week and a day of shopping left, an amazing 14 teams still stand over the luxury tax line. This has massive implications not just for their bottom line, but for those of the 16 teams under the tax line. Remember, the revenue from the luxury tax payments is split among the teams who stay under. Thus, if seven of those 14 teams get below the tax line this week, it will split the revenue check for the others by roughly a third. Teams that were looking at an $18 million check this summer might only get $12 million instead. Some action on this front seems highly likely to happen. I count seven teams that we can basically guarantee will stay over the tax line: Boston, Denver, L.A. Lakers, Milwaukee Minnesota, New York and Phoenix. They might make moves to lower their tax burden, yes, but it's not realistic for them to get all the way out. However, seven other teams are over by less than $15 million each, and have reasonably clear pathways to moving money that would get them under. Of those, only Cleveland is in such a strong position in the standings that basketball matters might take precedence and see them add salary instead of subtracting. Let's take a quick look at those seven: Cleveland ($1.9 million) – The Cavs could get under the tax as part of a bigger deal that sends out Isaac Okoro and/or Georges Niang and a draft pick to return a stretch 4. Failing that, trading end-of-bench minimum contracts Craig Porter Jr. and Tristan Thompson would get them under. New Orleans ($2.1 million) – The historical frugal Pels aren't sending a tax check to the league while they're in 13th place in the West. If no Brandon Ingram trade materializes, they can throw two minimum contracts overboard to get under the line. Clippers ($2.5 million) – Steve Ballmer hasn't cared about the money, historically, but he might be persuaded to care about the repeater tax. A move involving P.J. Tucker – on the chillin' list all season -- or little-used Bones Hyland would get the Clips under. Dallas ($5.3 million) – The Mavs went to the Finals last year, have been treading water even without Luka Doncic this year, and would have to move a real contract to get under. As with Cleveland above, the most likely pathway is 'two bird with one stone' deals that add a rotation player while cutting salary. For instance, deal involving Max Kleber's $11 million salary, and possibly other smaller contracts, along with their 2025 first-round pick, could get them there. Golden State ($6 million) – The Warriors are usually happy to spend, but the threat of hte repeater tax and their own middling state in the standings might inspire them to cut dollars anyway. Moving off expiring contracts like those of Kevon Looney or Gary Payton Jr. would accomplish the task. Philadelphia ($10.9 million) – Nothing has gone right for the Sixers, currently 11th in the East despite a hefty payroll with three max contracts. Evading the tax would likely involve trading Kenyon Martin, Jr.'s $8 million deal and at least one other small contract; the Sixers might also cash out their Guerschon Yabusele stock if they don't think they can re-sign him. Miami ($13.6 million) – Miami has a long way to go to get out of the tax, but a Jimmy Butler deal would involve big contracts going back and forth and possibly grease the way for Miami to take back $14 million fewer than it sends out. Stuffing Duncan Robinson's $19 million deal into the periphery of a Butler swap would probably go a long way toward achieving this.
