NBA: Before Game 4: Lance sees Pacers in “full control

Indiana Pacers are surprisingly leading 2-1 against Cleveland Cavaliers in the series, with Lance Stephenson commenting on the situation before the fourth game on Monday night.

Stephenson expects the Cavaliers will panic if Indiana win their fourth game in front of home crowds, even though Cavs star LeBron James has never been eliminated in the first play-off round in his career.

“We’re in full control right now,” Stephenson said Saturday. “We must keep her. If we get another victory in our hall, they’ll panic. “We’ll do the same as we did the first game.”

The Pacers have played four times against LeBron teams in the playoffs so far, losing out in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2017. Last year there was even a sweep, but that’s no longer possible – and the Pacers said they licked blood.

“Our goal is simply to stay together, limit LeBron and play team defense,” said Stephenson, who has a “close friendship” with James. “This is a good team. You won’t just let yourself get frustrated.”

Game 4 of the series takes place on Monday morning at 2:30 a.m. at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.