James has said he is not concerned about the top seed, and team-mate Kyle Korver said on Monday that the Cavs just want to get the post-season under way. Cleveland took Toronto down in six games in last year's Eastern Conference finals.
For this game, LeBron James will not play.
Oklahoma City Thunder star Russell Westbrook will sit out Tuesday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves after notching his NBA-record 42nd triple-double of the season Sunday against the Denver Nuggets. Here are five keys for the Cavs to defeat the Pacers in the first round of the National Basketball Association playoffs.
The Cavs officially announced the signing of 7-foot-3 center Edy Tavares and guard Dahntay Jones on Wednesday. The Raptors rested DeMar DeRozan and Serge Ibaka.
The Celtics defeated the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday to have a two-game lead over the Cavaliers in the East standings.
Injuries besieged much of the Cavaliers' starting lineup for the 2016-2017 season, starting in December with shooting guard J.R. Smith breaking a thumb and needing surgery, as well as 12 weeks of rest and rehabilitation, to heal the ailment. "They made some big shots and some big plays, so I'm excited about that".
Over his 12-year National Basketball Association career, Jones holds averages of 5.4 points, 1.7 rebounds and 15.7 minutes over 623 contests (157 starts) with Memphis, Sacramento, Denver, Indiana, Dallas, Atlanta, Los Angeles Clippers and Cleveland. He backpedaled on defense and raised his arms in triumph as his teammates celebrated as if he had just hit a game-winner. It's too soon to say whether they have their act together, but for three quarters they looked more like a team capable of reaching its third straight Finals.
Thunder vs. Rockets Game 1 Pick
He hit two massive 3s after getting truck-sticked, the second of which forced Billy Donovan into a timeout to stop the bleeding. When players of Westbrook's or Harden's caliber are feeling it, it's possible to impede them, but it's not likely to stop them.
With the Celtics beating the Brooklyn Nets 114-105, the defeat dropped the Cavs one game behind Boston (52-29) for first place in the East.
But, as usual, the Pacers couldn't contain James, who improved to 45-7 in the opening round and got the Cavs their first win - warts and all.
"He's a Cavs killer", Cavs head coach Tyronn Lue said Friday. "So, we got to put up or shut up". Presumably Toronto would like Cleveland to win (and Boston to lose) so the Raps could avoid seeing the Cavaliers again until a presumable Conference finals rematch.
Raptors: Lowry scored 13 in his fifth game back after undergoing wrist surgery.
Tavares played mostly this season for Toronto's D-League affiliate and averaged 10.6 points and 2.7 blocks. Vince Carter averaged 27.6 in 2000-2001. George leads in points with 23.7 and in steals with 1.6 per game. "We're more talented than we were at this time a year ago".
Are the Cavaliers' woes serious or just a championship hangover to start the playoffs?
It's official...the Cleveland Cavaliers are locked into the two seed for the 2017 playoffs.
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