Cavaliers Face Injury Worries for Game 2 Against Pacers

Fast-Paced Offense and Player Injuries Challenge Cleveland

Cleveland Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson is concerned about keeping up with the Indiana Pacers’ quick offense in the Eastern Conference semifinals. To add to their troubles, the Cavaliers may have to play Game 2 on Tuesday without some key players.

Injuries to Key Players

• Forwards Evan Mobley and De’Andre Hunter are uncertain for the game.
• Darius Garland is also unlikely to play.

Mobley and Hunter both got injured within 26 seconds during the fourth quarter of Game 1, which Indiana won 121-112. Mobley sprained his left ankle, while Hunter dislocated his shooting hand’s thumb.

Controversial Plays and Referee Decisions

Atkinson thought the plays causing the injuries were too physical, but not dirty. He’s worried about the impact of these injuries on the game and hopes it won’t continue throughout the series.

Atkinson criticized the referees for not calling fouls on the injury-causing plays. He thinks there should be consequences for such incidents.

Garland’s Potential Return

Garland, the All-Star point guard, has missed the last three games due to a sprained left big toe. He will try to play in Game 2 by joining a pre-game workout.

Garland’s absence was evident in Game 1, as Tyrese Haliburton scored 22 points and had 13 assists for the Pacers. The Cavaliers were outscored by 10 points when Sam Merrill, Garland’s substitute, was on the court.

Focus and Physicality

Atkinson expects the Cavaliers to maintain the focus they had against the Miami Heat in the previous series. However, he felt that the team was physically overpowered in the fourth quarter by the Pacers.

When asked about Game 2, Atkinson said, “Ultimately, credit goes to Indiana because they outplayed us honestly.”

Game 2 Details

When: 7 p.m. EDT
Where: TNT
BetMGM odds: Cavaliers by 9.5

The Cavaliers need to enhance their 3-point shooting and defense in Game 2. They made only 9 of 38 3-point attempts in Game 1, and Donovan Mitchell scored 34 points but hit just 1 of 11 3-point shots. Indiana made 19 of 36 3-point shots, including 11 of 19 open looks.

The Pacers aim to take a 2-0 lead on the road for the first time since the 1994 first-round series against Orlando. Cleveland hasn’t lost its first two home playoff games since 1996, when they faced the Knicks in the first round.