The Indiana Pacers shocked the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the rest of the NBA, on Sunday by winning Game 1 121-112. The Pacers enjoyed a well-rounded offensive attack with Aaron Nesmith, Pascal Siakam, Andrew Nembard, Tyrese Haliburton, Myles Turner, and Bennedict Mathurin all scoring at least ten points.
The Cavs, meanwhile, shot only 23.7 percent from deep in large part thanks to Nembhard’s solid, and often irritating, perimeter defense.
The Pacers have preached all postseason long about playing their own brand of basketball, getting out in space, and moving the ball. As the underdogs, Indiana’s statement win in Game 1 will likely be answered as the Cavs defend homecourt on Tuesday, and Indiana knows that Game 2 won’t be a cakewalk.
However, they have the bulletin-board martial to keep them “hungry” enough to beat even the strongest of teams.
“We’ve got to stay hungry,” said Rick Carlisle. “I haven’t heard many people that have gave us a chance in this series, so we got to use that as some level of motivation. But we know what we’re capable of.
Game 2 will be exceptionally hard with, you know, them dropping Game 1, this building the way it is, all that kind of stuff. So, we’re going to have to be ready. But our mindset has got to be, you know, we’ve got to keep attacking.”
Historically, the Pacers are a rather good team, although they haven’t made the Finals since 2000 and have never won an NBA title. Their window, it would seem, is open for the next several seasons, although now is the time to make a statement and usurp the best team in the Eastern Conference.
Indiana will only get one day off before taking on Cleveland in Game 2 on Tuesday, with coverage on TNT.
Check out the All Pacers homepage for more news, analysis, and must-read articles.
Related: Rick Carlisle Details Indiana Pacers Approach to Beat Cleveland Cavaliers
Related: Indiana Pacers Stun Cleveland Cavaliers In Game 1 Playoff Upset
The Indiana Pacers shocked the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the rest of the NBA, on Sunday by winning Game 1 121-112. The Pacers enjoyed a well-rounded offensive attack with Aaron Nesmith, Pascal Siakam, Andrew Nembard, Tyrese Haliburton, Myles Turner, and Bennedict Mathurin all scoring at least ten points.
The Cavs, meanwhile, shot only 23.7 percent from deep in large part thanks to Nembhard’s solid, and often irritating, perimeter defense.
The Pacers have preached all postseason long about playing their own brand of basketball, getting out in space, and moving the ball. As the underdogs, Indiana’s statement win in Game 1 will likely be answered as the Cavs defend homecourt on Tuesday, and Indiana knows that Game 2 won’t be a cakewalk.
However, they have the bulletin-board martial to keep them “hungry” enough to beat even the strongest of teams.
“We’ve got to stay hungry,” said Rick Carlisle. “I haven’t heard many people that have gave us a chance in this series, so we got to use that as some level of motivation. But we know what we’re capable of.
Game 2 will be exceptionally hard with, you know, them dropping Game 1, this building the way it is, all that kind of stuff. So, we’re going to have to be ready. But our mindset has got to be, you know, we’ve got to keep attacking.”
Historically, the Pacers are a rather good team, although they haven’t made the Finals since 2000 and have never won an NBA title. Their window, it would seem, is open for the next several seasons, although now is the time to make a statement and usurp the best team in the Eastern Conference.
Indiana will only get one day off before taking on Cleveland in Game 2 on Tuesday, with coverage on TNT.
Check out the All Pacers homepage for more news, analysis, and must-read articles.
Related: Rick Carlisle Details Indiana Pacers Approach to Beat Cleveland Cavaliers
Related: Indiana Pacers Stun Cleveland Cavaliers In Game 1 Playoff Upset
