The Indiana Pacers have pushed the game 7 against the Cleveland Cavaliers thanks to an outstanding Victor Oladipo. In the 121:87 success (BOXSCORE) the hosts could not stop hitting in the meantime.
For the third time in a row the Cavs had to do without Point Guard George Hill due to persistent back problems. So it was a relief that at least Jose Calderon returned to the starting lineup after the Spaniard missed game 5. On the Pacers’ side, the Starting Five did not change.
Against the storm, which expected the guests however in the Bankers Life Fieldhouse, also the Spaniard could do of course little. Because what the Pacers delivered in game 6 was a pure spectacle, especially in the form of Victor Oladipo (28 PKT, 11/19 FG, 10 AST, 13 REB). The Shooting Guard started hot with 15 points and 4 steals in the first quarter. He radiated an energy that carried away the whole team and the hall.
With the Cavs, there was only one person who could really fight back. Of course we’re talking about LeBron James. The Pacers had a hard time against James’s physique, especially in the early stages. Indiana did not let LeBron into the Zone like in game five and received him early. The physique with which they took action against James should finally become noticeable in the second half.
The Cavs already went into this with a double-digit deficit, after which the supporting cast of the king once again only knew to disappoint. While Cleveland wanted to catch up by throwing from beyond the triple line, they missed to find defensive access.
The Pacers pressed the accelerator and caught fire. Indiana dominated not only the boards, but also the litters from the outside. Oladipo, Darren Collison and Bojan Bogdanovic wouldn’t stop sinking their threesomes. Oladipo, who crowned his outstanding performance with a triple double, also duped the Cavs with a highlight-dunk or two.
The momentum belonged exclusively to the Pacers. Cleveland didn’t find any answer at all and saw the entrance of the final quarter chasing a 30-point deficit. James sat down on the bench early on with a laceration after an unfortunate collision. He finished the game with 22 points 7 assists and 5 rebounds.
Match 7 takes place on Sunday in Cleveland (live on DAZN).
Indiana Pacers v Cleveland Cavaliers 121:87, Series 3:3 (BOXSCORE)
Victor Oladipo. Oladipo’s amazing season is getting newer and newer. He showed his leadership qualities in game 6 from the first minute on. Oladipo was wide awake and aggressive. With high speed he punished the Cavs again and again and hit also from the outside outstandingly. No matter what he did, it had some immediate effect on the audience. The highlight reel is long. Very long. But now he also has to deliver abroad.
Some names could certainly have been mentioned here. But Kevin Love’s game was so unfortunate that he was chosen. The Power Forward could help the Cavs neither through Physis, nor through shooting or in the defense. In the meantime Love also injured his elbow.
After the mega performance of James in Game 5, Nate McMillan was determined to stop James from entering the Zone. The Pacers offered help very early on and benefited from the poor shooting performance of the Cavs. The physique with which the Pacers were also on the defensive was noticeably disturbing to James.