OPENING TIP
Anyone wondering whether the Cavaliers would continue to play hard in their third straight non-playoff season only needed to see Saturday’s loss at San Antonio. The Cavs played with energy, determination and even a little sizzle in falling to the West’s top-ranked team. Meanwhile, the Pacers are in the playoffs, and have plenty for which to play. Like the Cavs, they’ve lost two straight. For the Pacers, that actually means something. They’ll desperately scratch and claw to end that skid tonight.
Venue: Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland.
TV/Radio: 6:30 p.m. EST, FOX Sports Ohio/WTAM
All-Time Series: Pacers lead, 85-82.
PROJECTED STARTERS
INDIANA PACERS (40-26)
C Roy Hibbert
PF David West
SF Paul George
SG Lance Stephenson
PG George Hill
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (22-44)
C Tyler Zeller
PF Tristan Thompson
SF Alonzo Gee
SG Dion Waiters
PG Shaun Livingston
Pregame notes:
• FOX Sports Ohio analyst Campy Russell says to watch out for Stephenson, and Russell is right. Stephenson is an up-and-coming scorer who, like Waiters, has a little bit of an edge to his game. Stephenson will try to get in an opponent’s head, and often succeeds.
• The Cavs have lost three of four and six of 10. The Pacers have won three of four in the series, and two in a row at The Q.
• Danny Granger (knee) is out again for the Pacers.
• George has emerged as a suitable replacement for the injured Granger -- averaging a team-high 17.6 points per game and making his first All-Star appearance. The Pacers are 17-7 when George leads them in scoring.
• The Pacers are one of the league’s most scrappy, physical teams defensively. But they’re just 3-10 when their opponent scores 100 points or more.
