Cleveland Cavaliers: 3 takeaways from Game 7 vs. Pacers

The Cleveland Cavaliers advance to the second round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs with a well-rounded victory in Game 7 against the Indiana Pacers, 105-101.

It took seven long games, but LeBron James‘ perfect record in the first round remains intact, as the Cleveland Cavaliers eliminated the Indiana Pacers in Game 7, 105-101, to advance into the second round for a matchup with the best team in the Eastern Conference, the Toronto Raptors.

Five Cavaliers scored in double figures, highlighted by Tristian Thompson in his first start of the postseason, as the seven-year veteran finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds in 34 minutes of play.

George Hill and J.R. Smith combined for 22, giving LeBron James the support he’s desperately needed in this series.

Speaking of James, the three-time champion continues to defy age and attrition, finishing with 45 points on 16-of-25 shooting, nine rebounds, seven assists and four steals.

The Pacers were led by their backcourt duo of Darren Collison and Victor Oladipo, who finished with a combined 53 points on 19-of-34 shooting, but as we’ve seen throughout this series, it just wasn’t enough against King James.

The Cavaliers narrowly escaped the clutches of Indiana in this series, and against Toronto, they’ll have to be better.

However, there were aspects of their Game 7 victory that, should they translate over into the next round, would give the Cavaliers an added advantage against the Raptors.