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Cavaliers vs Pacers predictions: Who wins Game 3 of Eastern Conference semifinal series?
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- Cavaliers vs Pacers predictions: Who wins Game 3 of Eastern Conference semifinal series?
The Cavaliers are down 2-0 in their second-round playoff series and must now find a way to recover after a stunning, gut-punch loss to the Indiana Pacers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Health is a major question mark for the Cavs heading into Game 3, set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 9, as the series turns to Indianapolis. All-Star guard Darius Garland has missed the last four playoff games with a sprained big toe. All-Star forward and Defensive Player of the year Evan Mobley (sprained ankle) and forward De'Andre Hunter (sprained thumb) both missed Game 2 in Cleveland .
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After a historic sweep of the Miami Heat , the Cavs suddenly find their backs firmly planted against the wall in what is nearly a must-win Game 3.
Here are Game 3 predictions from sports writers Ryan Lewis and Nate Ulrich :
Cavaliers playoffs: 'My only regret': Kenny Atkinson, Cavs players looking for answers after Game 2 loss to Pacers
Cavs vs Pacers predictions: Who wins Game 3 tonight?
Lewis:This is heavily dependent on the Cavaliers' injury situation. Evan Mobley is about as big of a loss as there can be considering how he's used in the Cavs' offensive system. De'Andre Hunter is a key piece to their defensive puzzle and depth. Darius Garland is there to make sure Donovan Mitchell doesn't have to take dozens of hard hits every night. Even Mitchell is dealing with a calf strain. If Mobley and Co. remain sidelined, the Cavs are in even deeper trouble than they already are down 2-0, and this one could be over in a hurry. Mitchell was truly outstanding in Game 2, and it seems as though he can get into the paint at will against the Pacers, but it's also unsustainable for him to keep taking that much hard contact and expending that much energy. They need more from Ty Jerome and a few others. But even with so much going against them, I still don't see Cleveland going down 3-0, and I don't expect them to virtually lay down like the Heat did in a similar situation. Through a cringed face waiting for disaster, and with the thinking that perhaps at least one of the three can return and Mitchell is as ready as he wants to be for Game 3: Cavaliers 112, Pacers 108
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Cavs injuries: Latest news on Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, De'Andre Hunter and Donovan Mitchell
Ulrich:On the eve of Game 3, Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson went on a mini-rant and reiterated a message he has been preaching for days. Atkinson is lobbying for the NBA to adopt rules against what he considers "excessive acts" of physicality causing injuries in the playoffs. It's fair to interpret Atkinson's relentless and unsolicited quotes on this topic as him venting because he doesn't expect All-Star forward Evan Mobley (sprained left ankle) or wing De'Andre Hunter (sprained right shooting thumb) to play in Game 3 after they were injured in Game 1 during plays on which Atkinson believes the Pacers should have been whistled for fouls. "Is there that line of excessiveness? Do we need to move that line? We want the Defensive Player of the Year [Mobley] available. We want De'Andre Hunter available," Atkinson said after practice May 8. The read here on this situation is the Cavs will be shorthanded again. All-Star point guard Darius Garland (sprained left big toe) has jogged on a treadmill, "but, obviously, couldn't run or anything," Atkinson said. All three players are listed as questionable for Game 3. The way Atkinson is talking, it would be surprising if any of them is back for Game 3. The Cavs had been mostly healthy for the vast majority of this season. This is just horrible timing for the trend to change. Pacers 123, Cavaliers 114
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cleveland Cavs vs Indiana Pacers predictions for Game 3
