After suffering two home losses, the Cleveland Cavaliers had to do all it takes for some respite. The East’s number-one seed did just that. Their squad, even with nagging injuries, suited up. Immediately, the Indiana Pacers felt their wrath. Donovan Mitchell’s atomic scoring night didn’t go in vain because defensively, the Cavs saw the Defensive Player of the Year, Evan Mobley, strangle the Pacers’ infamous offense while being on one leg.
Mobley was all over the floor with his two-way impact in Game 3. He compiled 18 points and 13 rebounds to provide some firepower besides a sizzling Mitchell. But it was his defensive work rate that helped the Cavs dominate. He generated three steals, blocked three shots, and played imperious defense, all while suffering from an ankle sprain.
It could have been catastrophic had he turned the wrong way. But this had to be the game the Cavaliers risked it all as another loss would put them on the doors of death. But despite saluting Mobley and the other returning players for their “fortitude,” Kenny Atkinson is hopeful Game 3 didn’t take the wind out of them.
“I guess you just get adrenaline going and listen, those guys we’re down 2 0. I mean it was kind of now or never. You’re you’re banged up and you’re hurt and you got you know swollen ankle and you know you it was they had to test it today… We got one day recovery here. So it’s going to be a quick turnaround. So just hope they can they can turn it around and be ready to go,” the Cavaliers HC pointed out.
Dec 7, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4) celebrates a three point basket against the Charlotte Hornets during the fourth quarter at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images
In Evan Mobley’s case, the towering forward didn’t seem to be holding a lot of discomfort. Moreover, his imperious defensive acumen could now potentially change this tie altogether. At the same time, Darius Garland and De’Andre Hunter didn’t look to be 100%. But even then, the Pacers couldn’t take their presence on the floor lightly. That worked out well for the Cavaliers.
That wasn’t all it took, though. The players’ courage to step in despite their painful ailments covered the Cavaliers’ offensive success. When it came to containing the Pacers, Kenny Atkinson put his brain together.
One change that dismantled the Indiana Pacers
Over the first two games, the Pacers’ offense saw emphatic success against one of the best-ranked defenses. They piled on 120 points on both occasions. Being shorthanded aside, the Cavaliers’ usual zone wasn’t working because of Indiana’s all-around shooting threats. So to avoid being punished by their “five out spacing,” Atkinson forced the team to get uncomfortable.
The Cavs still played a zone. But it was tailored in a way to restrict the Pacers’ offense. “We’re comfortable with one we’ve been playing, but I, you know, after watching a lot of film, we decided we had, we can’t play our traditional zone against them. We had to, um, we had to kind of match to their five out um, stuff,” Atkinson revealed.
A part of that strategy was to hoard up on Tyrese Haliburton. After his game winner in Game 2, he was held to just four points and five assists tonight by the Cavaliers’ swarming tactics. TJ McConnell found some success acting as the primary creator. But he couldn’t replicate Haliburton’s connective skills.
The slight change in their strategy successfully blew open the Pacers’ offense. They barely went past 100 points in a blowout loss at home. And while the Cavs are still down 2-1, hope has been restored. When fully healthy and able to take out the Pacers’ creative mind, the Cavaliers are a lethal team to come up against.
Their objective is to do the same thing the Indiana Pacers did. They need to win the second road game of the series and retake their home court advantage in case it does extend to a long series. In order to do that, not only execution, but a fully healthy roster is imperative. As for Indiana, it’s now their time to scratch their heads and devise a counter strategy.
In this game of chess, which team do you think will win Game 4? Let us know your views in the comments below.
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