Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Indiana Pacers

Place: The Gund Arena in Cleveland, OH.
Time: 7:00 p.m. EST
TV/Radio: FSN Ohio/WTAM 1100

Projected Cavaliers Starting Lineup:

PG: LeBron James
SG: Kedrick Brown
SF: Darius Miles
PF: Carlos Boozer
C:  Zydrunas Ilgauskas

Cavaliers Injury Report: SG DaJuan Wagner (knees surgery) an C DeSagana Diop (knee surgery) are on the injured list.

Projected Pacers Starting Lineup:

PG: Jamaal Tinsley
SG: Reggie Miller
SF: Ron Artest
PF: Jermaine O'Neal
C:  Jeff Foster

Pacers Injury Report: PG Kenny Anderson (strained right calf), SF Jonathan Bender (knee surgery) and C Primoz Brezec (Achilles tendinitis) are on the injured list.  SG Fred Jones (eye contusion) is probable and PG Anthony Johnson (strained abdominal muscle) is probable.

Key Matchups:

Zydrunas Ilgauskas vs. Jermaine O'Neal - Cavaliers coach Paul Silas insists on continuing this matchup of a PF against a C.  It hasn't really worked the first two meetings between the teams and it likely won't change the third time.  The logic seems to be that Ilgauskas' length will cause O'Neal problems.  But, O'Neal has good range on his shot and is skilled and athletic enough to go over the top of bigger players just ask Yao Ming whom O'Neal recently put on a poster.  About the only thing Ilgauskas can do against an O'Neal is to give him some room and either make him a jump shooter or use his length to close out on his shots.  Whichever tactic is chosen staying in front of O'Neal is a must.  PF/C Tony Battie will undoubtedly see a lot of time against O'Neal. Offensively, there will probably be some crossmatching and Ilguaskas has to get good position in the paint early as he did against Portland and finish strong around the basket as O'Neal likes to challenge shots around the rim and can block shots with either hand.

Darius Miles vs. Ron Artest - Darius Miles supposedly gets another crack at the starting lineup and he isn't getting an easy matchup.  Artest is coming off his first incident of lunacy of year will likely return to the starting lineup tonight.  In the past Miles has backed down from defensive challenges and did not handle physical play well.  Much of Artest's game is about his physical strength and his aggressive intimidating style.  But, Artest isn't just some hockey goon he can play.  He can use his size and strength to finish around the basket and is skilled enough to come off picks and shoot jumpers, hit threes and go one on one.  Defensively, Miles has to use his length and athleticism to challenge Artest.  Miles has a 3 inch height advantage and if he moves his feet he could at least make Artest work for his points.  Offensively, Miles has to remain focused throughout his time on the floor as Artest is the best perimeter defender in the league.  When Artest isn't on LeBron James Miles has to be more sound in his ballhandling as Artest will try and take it from him.  Miles has to remember the pillars of his game which are slashing to the basket, posting up and the occasional midrange jumper.  He has to stay away from the standstill 20 footers and the three pointers unless it is in rhythm off a kickout.  SF Eric Willaims will probably see extensive time against Artest.

When Cleveland has the ball: The Trailblazers had success against the Cavaliers playing zone like everyone else in the league but didn't have the fortitude to stick with it.  The Pacers have had some problems defensively recently coinciding with the bout of wackiness experienced by Ron Artest.  LeBron James thought he was back abusing 5'10 High School SFs when Portland continuously put Damon Stoudamire on him.  If Indiana starts with Jamaal Tinsley or Reggie Miller on James the Cavaliers need to exploit those matchups.  Tinsley doesn't have the size and Miller doesn't have the strength or quickness to deal with James.  For a change the Cavaliers could go after O'Neal defensively and try to get him in some foul trouble.  The Pacers pretty much put O'Neal on the Cavaliers frontcourt player that isn't going to get the ball.  Going at O'Neal takes away from his ability to be a help defender and would make him work defensively rather than roam.  As per the usual the Cavaliers will need to find a way to execute and hit shots against the zone.

When Indiana has the ball: The Pacers like to go to O'Neal early and often in the game and against Cleveland that means going at Ilgauskas.  Indiana will isolate O'Neal on the block or wing.  O'Neal can find the open man off early double teams and Cleveland has been burned the outside shooting of the Pacer PGs, namely Anthony Johnson, which isn't supposed to be that good.  Johnson has an injury so that leaves Jamaal Tinsely who isn't a good outside shooter but has a reputation of shooting a lot of them anyway.  With Tinsley playing now the Pacers are more apt to get out and run to get easy baskets since Tinsley likes to push the ball and is a good and creative passer on the break.  SG Fred Jones and SF/PF Al Harrington are the main threats off the bench.  Harrington is a versatile inside-out player that causes a lot of matchup problems.  SF Austin Croshere has come back from his exile from the last few seasons and has played his way into the rotation.  He used to the give the Cavaliers fits when Larry Bird was coaching the Pacers. 

Game outlook: The Pacers have won 10 straight at Gund Arena in various fashions from blowouts to close finishes.  Although the two teams have played twice already this will be first match with the Cavaliers full contingent since the trade with the Boston Celtics.  With Tony Battie and Eric Williams the Cavaliers have better defensive matches for the main guns of the Pacers.  Whether the Cavaliers can finally get over the hump of the Pacers remains to be seen.  Indiana has the best record in the conference because they get contributions from a lot of players.