Cleveland Cavaliers: 5 keys to series vs. Pacers
1. 3-point shooting
With the newfound importance of the 3-point shot, plenty of teams have become incredibly reliant on long distance shooting.
The Cavaliers, ranking fourth in attempts, second in makes and sixth in percentage, have become one of the better 3-point shooting teams in the league. They surround LeBron James with shooters at every position, allowing him to hit the open man when he sees fit.
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Relying heavily on the 3-ball can be a double-edged sword, as getting hot or cold from distance can increase or shrink a lead in a matter of minutes.
Heading into the playoffs, the Cavs have to know that Indiana will be looking to take away the 3-point shot, which makes it all the more important they hit them when they get their chances.
The Cavaliers’ offense is predicated on James’ ability to pick apart defenses with his passing ability, freeing up his shooter with the gravitational pull he exerts every time he drives to the basket.
If shooters like Kevin Love and J.R. Smith can’t find their rhythm, Cleveland doesn’t have the ball-handlers to generate open looks for themselves. This means that they’ll keep shooting until they break out of their slump, which can work, but doesn’t more often than not.
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There have been numerous games in which Cleveland goes cold from deep, seemingly ending their chances at a victory. If they want to advance, they’re going to have to move the ball and put pressure on the Pacers defense by spreading the floor and hitting their open shots.