The Defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers are now up two games to none over the Indiana Pacers in the first round of the NBA playoffs. This past weekend the Cavaliers outlasted the Pacers to pick up their first win of the series and Monday night the big three Lebron James, Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving all got loose to lead the Cavs to their second win 117-111.
Kyrie Irving led the Cleveland attack with 37 points while K-Love contributed 27 with King James providing 25. Love and James also pulled down at least 10 rebounds a piece to complete their double-double performances.
The win gives the defending champions a two game to none lead and based on the way Indiana has made runs at the end of each of their two losses in Cleveland I would not say the Cavs have a commanding lead. The next two games will be in Indianapolis, home of the Pacers and if Paul George and his teammates can find their rhythm in the friendly confines of Bankers Life Fieldhouse they could give Cleveland a run for their money in this series.Keep in mind if the Cavaliers win one of the next two games away from home, I think the series is over for Indiana.
Meanwhile, the San Antonio Spurs also have a two game lead in their first-round series against the Memphis Grizzlies. I think this is a commanding lead for the Spurs simply based on the margin of victory in each game. In game one the Spurs beat the Grizzlies by 29 points and Monday night by 14 points. The difference in the margin of victory combined with the performance of San Antonios’ Kawhi Leonard ( 32 points in game one and 37 points in game two ). Leads me to believe that despite the next two games being played in Memphis, the Grizzlies have no chance unless they can stop Kawhi.
Tonight in game two of the matchup between the Chicago Bulls and Boston Celtics the interesting story is going to be how Isaiah Thomas and the Celtics rebound from their emotional loss on Sunday. Thomas who is mourning the loss of his younger sister put up 33 points in the loss and it was apparent that he was spent emotionally. He is the spark plug of the Boston offense and if he can maintain his focus and get his teammates to step up the number one seed in the East will have a chance to even this series.
Also in action tonight Toronto will look to rebound from their game one loss to Milwaukee and The Los Angeles Clippers will look to do the same against the Utah Jazz. As of right now the Raptors and Clippers have lost home court advantage suffering home losses in game one.
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Trevin A Jones
