The second playoff clash between the Cavaliers and the Pacers exposed more than just talent gaps—it revealed a deeper issue of team cohesion. Head coach Tyronn Lue had urged Kevin Love to ramp up his presence in the paint, hoping it would spark the Cavaliers’ stagnant offense. Surprisingly, the team’s best interior defender, Tristan Thompson, didn’t see a single minute of action. While Lue shouldn’t shoulder all the blame—Thompson’s off-court issues and declining form have clearly taken a toll—it begs the question why rookie Ante Zizic, who had shown flashes during the regular season, wasn’t given a shot.

The Cavaliers’ lack of interior defense didn’t stem from an inability to match Indiana’s pace—it was the absence of a strong rim protector that allowed Victor Oladipo to slash through the paint at will. It’s a bit much to expect Tyronn Lue to masterfully juggle rotations like Brad Stevens of the Celtics, but playoff success demands more than riding LeBron James for 40-plus minutes every night. Even as fans turn their attention to Live Cricket BPL, the Cavaliers’ postseason run feels increasingly precarious. If Cleveland crashes out early, Lue’s position could be hanging by a thread.

The Game 1 loss was telling: only LeBron cracked double digits in scoring, with Jeff Green going scoreless on seven shots and Love getting just eight attempts. The offense was stagnant and inefficient. In response, Lue shuffled the starting lineup, replacing Rodney Hood with JR Smith, and Green with Kyle Korver. LeBron moved to power forward, and the team adopted a “four-out, one-in” setup. Though Love attacked more aggressively, he failed to contribute in playmaking—he had zero assists and shot just 5-for-16. The offense may have gotten a slight boost, but it came at the cost of even weaker defense, especially in the paint.

Indiana capitalized. After a shaky start, the Pacers exploited mismatches using Myles Turner’s size to repeatedly score inside, gradually chipping away at Cleveland’s lead. The Cavaliers were already battling serious issues—poor chemistry, nagging injuries, no reliable point guard, and an aging core. With little margin for error, Lue had to turn to LeBron to play hero ball early in the season, as seen in his 57-point outburst against Washington. Yet, relying on one man to carry the load can only go so far, whether in NBA playoffs or Live Cricket BPL-style pressure matches.

The bench mirrored the starters with another four-out, one-in configuration, but without real results. The Cavs were exposed both on offense and defense. Oladipo’s drives consistently shredded their interior, and the defensive switches were ineffective. Ultimately, Lue’s lineup change might have improved scoring, but it didn’t patch the most glaring hole: the defense. Love’s struggles underscore the team’s flawed strategy—an offense too dependent on isolation plays and star power, lacking the rhythm and ball movement of a well-drilled unit. In contrast, the Pacers looked like a true team, seizing every opportunity with purpose, just as Live Cricket BPL fans admire underdog teams that punch above their weight through teamwork and grit.