By Josh Tolentino | EBC Sports
INDIANAPOLIS — For the first time in team history, the Indiana Pacers were swept in a seven-game Playoffs series as the Cleveland Cavaliers completed the four-game sweep after a 106-102 victory Sunday at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
The Pacers scrambled back from a double-digit fourth-quarter deficit and took a brief 102-100 lead. But LeBron James responded with a three pointer over Myles Turner, halting a Pacers 9-0 run and putting the Cavs up for good.
James was once again dominant, finishing with 33 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and four steals. Kyrie Irving added 28 points on 10-of-25 shooting and Kevin Love grabbed 16 rebounds for the Cavs.
“I go out every night to try and win a ball game. Do whatever it takes to help my teammates be successful and do whatever it takes to help me be successful. That’s been the result of it,” said James who won his 21st consecutive game in the first round of the postseason, setting a NBA record. “It was a great series. Paul George is a hell of a player…they gave us a fight every game.”
George, who was critical of teammate C.J Miles for taking a last second shot earlier in the series, had a chance to tie the game with 4 seconds left but badly missed a potential game-tying 3-pointer, ending the Pacers’ season.
“I was pleased with the opportunity,” George said. “I had an open look. Everyone scrambled away and I had a good look…may have rushed it. I should have taken my time in that moment. It’s definitely one I wish I could have had back.”
George finished with 15 points on an abysmal 5-of-21 shooting performance. He added seven rebounds, six assists and four turnovers, while Myles Turner added 20 and Lance Stephenson tallied a team-high 22 points off the bench.
The Cavs won the series by a total margin of 16 points, which ties the smallest margin in a four-game sweep in NBA History. Cleveland has defeated Indiana seven consecutive games, dating back to the regular season.
“We didn’t play great offensively,” Cavs coach Tyronn Lue said. “But we got stops defensively when we need to. And that’s what won us the game.
The Cavs will have over a week of rest as they wait to face the winner of the Milwaukee Bucks and Toronto Raptors. That series is currently tied 2-2 and will go to at least six games.
“(The) competition is very hard,” James said. “Mentally challenge yourself every year to go out and try to do what’s right, put your body on the line, put your team on the line to try and be successfully — it is very hard.”
