Indiana Pacers: 3 takeaways from Game 6 vs. Cavaliers

The Indiana Pacers won in emphatic fashion in Game 6 Friday night, forcing a winner-take-all Game 7. Here are three key takeaways from the win.

For a while, it was in doubt.

With just over a minute to go in the first half of Game 6, LeBron James hit two free throws to bring the Cleveland Cavaliers within five points, 52-47. It looked like the Indiana Pacers would be in for a dogfight.

Cleveland would be outscored 69-40 the rest of the way.

In some ways, it’s not surprising at all. Before Game 1 even tipped off, this series was far more evenly matched than almost anyone gave it credit for. The Pacers were the opposite of the Cavs in every way: consistent, sound and tough. For whatever they lacked in talent (and at this point, even that much is questionable), they made up for by rarely beating themselves and playing their way.

Thanks to an effort that should have LeBron James and his mates very, very concerned, the series now arrives at the place it was always destined to get to: Game 7.