We have the first 2^nd round matchup in the NBA playoffs. The Cleveland Cavaliers will take on the Indiana Pacers beginning on Sunday. Cleveland swept Miami in their series and that included a 55-point blowout of the Heat in Game 4. Indiana finished off the Milwaukee Bucks in five games. In the series finale, the Pacers won in OT and the issue between Giannis and Tyler Haliburton’s father were the headlines. The Cavaliers were the best team in the Eastern Conference throughout the season. Indiana is trying to get back to the Eastern Conference Finals. The Pacers reached that mark a season ago but fell to the eventual champion Celtics. Can Cleveland use the home court advantage against the Pacers to advance? Will Indiana shock everyone by defeating the top seed in the Eastern Conference? So, will Cleveland or Indiana advance to the Eastern Conference Finals?

Cleveland Cavs

Cleveland has been the best team in the Eastern Conference all season. They were my second best Eastern Conference team after the All-Star break. The Cavs have a complete team all around and it starts with Donovan Mitchell. Evan Mobley is a versatile big man, and he can defend inside and outside. Mobley took home the Defensive Player of the Year this season. Jarrett Allen is another big that can defend anything in the paint. Ty Jerome has been great for Cleveland this season and even led the team in scoring in Game 1. The icing on the cake was the acquisition of DeAndre Hunter from the Atlanta Hawks. Hunter can defend the other team’s best player and is capable of scoring on his own. Will the Cavs advance to the Eastern Conference Championship series?

Indiana Pacers

Indiana was around the middle of the pack throughout the season. They were my 5^th best team in the Eastern Conference after the All-Star break. They finished the season winning seven of their last eight games. They had home court advantage in the Milwaukee series. They took down the Bucks four games to one. We all feel the series would’ve gone more games if Dame didn’t tear his Achilles. Tyrese Haliburton can go off at any time. Aaron Nesmith continues to be solid on both ends of the floor. Myles Turner was efficient on the inside and outside in the Bucks series. Will somebody step up for Indiana in this series? How effective will Pascal Siakam be against this Cavs defense? Can the Pacers get back to the Eastern Conference championship for the second consecutive year?

Will Cleveland or Indiana Advance to the Eastern Conference Finals?

Indiana won three of the four plays played against each other this season. The win in the season finale doesn’t really count because the Cavs weren’t playing for anything. This Cleveland team is built for a ling playoff run. The acquisition of DeAndre Hunter put them in championship contention. Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen are better quipped to defend Myles Turner. Pascal Siakim will be vital if the Pacers have any shot against this Cleveland team. Cleveland will throw multiple defenders at Tyrese Haliburton throughout the series. Haliburton, Turner and Siakam will need a fourth guy to step up if they’re going to win this series. Cleveland has an array of guys who can score at any given time. With that being said, I’m taking the Cavs to win this series in six games. Cleveland Win Series 4-2

What do you think about this series? Who do you have winning the series? How many games will this series goes? Leave some feedback below and tell me who advances to the Eastern Conference Finals.

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