The Indiana Pacers kept things close against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round matchup and they almost stole game one of the series.
Only down seven by halftime, Paul George and company rallied took the lead late in the fourth quarter, and had one chance to put LeBron James and the Cavs away.
Unfortunately, the last possession saw CJ Miles take the last shot when George was double teamed on the in-bounds play and he had to give up the rock with four seconds left in the game. He never saw it again and Miles missed the last second shot.
After the game, PG13 talked to the media about the last play, saying he needed the ball in that situation (especially when he hit a clutch three pointer from way downtown right before that).
“I talked to CJ about it. In situations like that, I gotta get the last shot. I was asking for it. CJ took it upon himself. I’m confident in all my guys taking shots — that’s not the issue, but in that situation, I’ve gotta get that.”
Cleveland is the clear favorite coming out of the Eastern Conference but the Pacers needed to steal the first game to keep things competitive in the series. If Lance Stephenson can play as well as he did down the stretch, watch out, though.
Here’s a little of what we’re in for, for the rest of the series:
FINAL: IND 108 | CLE 109