Indiana Pacers Face Uphill Battle as Magic Johnson Backs Cavaliers to Win Series
The Indiana Pacers are set to take on their division rivals, the Cleveland Cavaliers, in Game 2 of their series on Tuesday, looking to build on their impressive win in Game 1. Despite their confidence and impressive performance, NBA legend and Hall of Famer Magic Johnson has expressed his doubts about the Pacers’ chances of winning the series.
According to a report by Sports Illustrated, Johnson took to Twitter to share his thoughts on the series, stating, “I enjoyed watching the Indiana Pacers take care of business against the Cleveland Cavaliers yesterday, even though I think that the Cavs will end up winning the series.” This sentiment was echoed by the oddsmakers, who have favoured the Cavaliers in Game 2, with a -7.5 spread.
The Pacers, however, are not ones to be underestimated. In Game 1, they withstood every Cavaliers attempt to come back, securing a crucial win. As Sports Illustrated reports, Indiana came out of the gates hot, winning 121-112, and has now won four of the past five meetings with Cleveland this season. The Pacers’ depth was on full display, as all five starters scored in double figures. Guard Andrew Nembhard led the way, recording 23 points and six assists while shooting 70 percent from the field and 83.3 percent from three in 37 minutes of action.
Despite their impressive performance, there seems to be a lack of confidence in the Pacers among pundits and experts. Many thought they’d lose in the first round to the Bucks, and the same can be said for their second-round wire matchup. However, as Sports Illustrated notes, the Pacers have all the tools to make a deep playoff run, and they’ll continue to showcase that as the playoffs progress.
Johnson’s comments, as reported by Sports Illustrated, are a subtle shot at the Pacers, who have proven doubters wrong time and time again. The Pacers’ coach, Rick Carlisle, has also been making waves, recently moving into the top-15 of all-time coaches.
The Pacers will look to take a commanding 2-0 series lead over the Cavaliers in Game 2. As Sports Illustrated reports, for more news and notes on the Indiana Pacers, fans can head on over to Indiana Pacers on SI.
In related news, the Pacers reportedly had the Cavaliers scared ahead of their playoff matchup, showcasing their strength and determination. As the series progresses, it will be interesting to see if the Pacers can prove their doubters wrong and make a deep playoff run. With their impressive performance in Game 1 and their depth on display, the Pacers are certainly a team to watch.
The information in this article was obtained from Sports Illustrated.
Source link
