Massive Game Four awaits the Pacers on Sunday night
By TYLER SMITH (@TylerSmith_ISL)
ISL Editor
INDIANAPOLIS — “It’s going to be tough, but that’s what this time of year is all about.” Those were the words from Pacers Head Coach Rick Carlisle before Game 3 in Indianapolis. Carlisle has been there and done that, and he knew how desperate the No. 1-seed Cleveland Cavaliers would play on Friday night. The Cavs were the aggressors in every facet of the game, and they dominated the Pacers to make this a series again. And now? The stage is set for a massive Game 4 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. It’s a game that will say a lot about these Indiana Pacers, one way or another.
It’s amazing how quickly things can change in a playoff series. Before this series began, Pacer fans would have been content with splitting the first two games in Cleveland. They undoubtedly would have taken a 2-1 series lead if given that option. Yet because the most recent game was a loss, there are now a lot of anxious feelings throughout the state.
Let’s put everything in perspective:
•The Cavaliers are really, really good. (69 total wins so far this season.)
•Sweeping the 1-seed isn’t realistic.
•The Pacers often take their foot off the gas with big leads.
•Despite being 4-0 in Cleveland this season, the Pacers don’t want to head back to Cleveland with the series tied.
•One game doesn’t mean much for the next game.
That last point is a big one. The Pacers have played eight playoff games this year. Every single game has been completely different, with its own identity. One game has never translated much to the next one. That’s how the playoffs typically go. There are too many variables and adjustments being made. The only thing that matters is winning four games first. I’ve seen Cavs writers saying “momentum is real” after Cleveland’s Game 3 win. Where was that momentum between games 2 and 3 for Indy? I’ve seen fans on both sides saying things like “Haliburton won’t play that poorly again,” or “The Cavs won’t shoot that poorly again,” as if the rest of the game will play out the same way. Haliburton could have a huge game 4, but maybe the Pacers get less from Mathurin or others. Maybe the Cavaliers’ 3-2 zone isn’t as effective in the next game, but they might get more from Garland or have a better night from three. It’s easy to get wrapped up in the moment and think one game is indicative of how the rest of the series will go. It just doesn’t work that way very often. Game Four will be its own animal.
The bottom line is: The Pacers have a 2-1 series lead against the No. 1-seed in the East, with a Game 4 in their building, and two of the four remaining games in Indy as well. This is a great position to be in, and now they simply have to go and get the job done.
It’s always been a collective effort with this group, but it all starts at the top. The Pacers clearly need more from Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam if they want to take down this Cleveland juggernaut.
“Didn’t have a very good performance last night,” Haliburton told the IndyStar on Saturday. “But it’s more film for me to look at, more stuff for me to figure out. It’s all part of the process. I’ll take it on the chin and I’ll be better next game. This is a team (Cleveland) that hasn’t lost a ton. We knew they’d respond. But we’re still in a good spot. If I would’ve told you a week ago we’d be up 2-1 and being at home, we’d like where we are.”
Regardless of what happens on Sunday night, there will be a long way in this battle. At the same time, it feels like the winner of Game 4 will go on to take this series. If the Pacers go up 3-1, you’d still be out of your mind to count Cleveland out, though Indy would have three chances to get the job done. If the Cavs win, they grab home court advantage right back, and will only get healthier as the series goes on.
The critics are still following the Pacers wherever they go. “They can only beat injured teams.” “Haliburton disappears.” “Last year was a fluke.” “Game 2 was a fluke.” Sunday night is Indiana’s chance to take a huge step forward in so many ways. Beating a fully healthy Cleveland squad and taking a 3-1 series lead, while bouncing back from a brutal performance on Friday? It would mean a great deal to this team, and this city.
“At the end of the day, it’s one loss, and we’ve won two games,” said Pascal Siakam. “We understand that it’s going to be a fight. Those guys are where they are for a reason. I believe in our team and the resilience we have. We’ve just got to bring the fight from the beginning.”
The Pacers are hoping for a carbon copy of Round 1, with wins in games 1, 2, and 4. The Cavaliers are on a mission to even things up. The Pacers are looking to show that resiliency once again. And the state of Indiana is ready to witness another chapter in this crazy Pacers story. Popcorn ready.
