Lance Stephenson: Cavs will panic if Pacers take 3-1 lead
Lance Stephenson even managed to be an instigator on off days.
One day after the Indiana Pacers stormed back from a 17-point halftime deficit to stake a 2-1 series lead against the three-time defending Eastern Conference champion Cleveland Cavaliers, Stephenson was at it again.
“We have full control right now,” Stephenson told reporters on Saturday after practice. “We have to keep it. We get another win in our building, and that’s when I think they’re going to start panicking. We’re going to bring it like we (brought) it the first game.”
The Cavs have ample reason to be worried. LeBron James isn’t getting the support he needs, the Cavs’ offense deteriorated in the second half yesterday and the Pacers’ 2-1 lead isn’t a fluke. The Cavs’ inexperience and lack of chemistry has revealed itself in the first three games. Cleveland scored just 33 points in the second half, including 12 in the third quarter.
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Stephenson’s assertion is bold considering James has never lost a first-round series, and he has an impressive track record against the Pacers. The Cavs swept Indiana last season when Paul George was their centerpiece, and James’ Heat teams knocked the Pacers out of the playoffs in 2012, 2013 and 2014. The Cavs are also a Sunday win away from taking back homecourt advantage.
Then again, James also hadn’t lost a first-round game since 2012, so perhaps Stephenson is on to something.
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