5. Keep the Foot on the Gas Pedal
Cleveland head coach Tyronn Lue and his Cavs absolutely can’t afford to take Indiana head coach Nate McMillan and his Pacers lightly, especially after the way both teams finished their regular seasons.
“We chased the No. 1 seed, we lost two games to Atlanta that we should’ve won, but we didn’t,” Lue said. “So now we’re here. It’s going to be a tough road whether you’re first seed, second seed or third seed. The Eastern Conference has gotten better and we understand that. And we have to play better so we understand that. The challenge is here and we’re up for the challenge.”
McMillan was named the Eastern Conference Coach of the Month for April after the Pacers won their final five games, with their only loss this month coming to the Cavs in double overtime. Indiana knows how to compete with good teams, especially with James and the Cavs, so Cleveland will absolutely need to turn up the intensity and keep it going throughout the whole series.
“I think definitely without a little chaos, we’re not the Cleveland Cavaliers,” Love said. “So we’ve always found a way to make it work and to make it interesting. It’s also good for you guys and for TV, too.”
Prediction: Cavs in 5
