Candace Buckner

IndyStar

Cavaliers at Pacers, 7 p.m. Wednesday, FSI, ESPN

If the Indiana Pacers advance to the postseason, they will likely face the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers or second-ranked Toronto Raptors. It just so happens this week that their schedule serves up both potential playoff previews. However with the season winding down and nagging pains factoring into lineup decisions, just which Cleveland team will the Pacers face Tuesday night at Bankers Life Fieldhouse?

“I don’t like to get into preferring what guys are out there,” Pacers coach Frank Vogel said. “We worry about what we can control and we’ve got to face five guys for the 48 minutes.”

On Sunday, Cleveland point guard Kyrie Irving (right ankle sprain) sat out but did play in the Cavaliers’ Tuesday night matchup against Milwaukee. Also, LeBron James missed two games in March and if the Cavs deem the second game of a back-to-back in Indiana as insignificant, don’t be surprised to see The King on the bench.

Still as much as Paul George would like for the Pacers (41-36, seventh in the East) to extend the winning streak, he sees the mental benefits in playing Cleveland then Toronto on Friday with all the stars in the lineup.

“It’s important for us to be able to win that game. We would love to see them at full strength to get a glimpse of what we’re going to see in the playoffs and figure it out then as opposed to not having a clue coming into Game 1,” George said after the Pacers defeated the New York Knicks on Sunday.

“So it would be great to figure out how to guard and how to match up and how the game’s going to go by these games coming up.”

Bench lifts Pacers in another closer than expected win

The Pacers have played Cleveland tight through the three previous matchups but all have ended as close losses. On Feb. 29 in Cleveland, a grind-it-out game favored the Pacers, who even held a five-point lead in the fourth quarter. However, just like the other times, the Cavaliers prevailed and left Indiana without a signature win over the East’s best team.

Still, the results haven’t diminished the Pacers’ confidence.

“We can beat either team if we go out with the right mindset and with the right momentum,” Monta Ellis said about Cleveland and Toronto. “That’s why these two games are going to be crucial for us to try to get some good vibes and good momentum.”

Before the two upcoming challenges, the Pacers passed a long overdue test and gained a bit of a psychological advantage over late-game pressure.

On Sunday while tied with the Knicks, George hit the go-ahead bucket in the final 23.6 seconds. The shot, as well as clutch free throws, led to the Pacers’ 92-87 win and bolstered their belief in closing out games. After Sunday, the Pacers are now shooting 17.2 percent (5-of-29) in the final 30 seconds when either trailing or tied in a one-possession game.

“I think it was great for (George) as well,” said Ellis who finished 2-of-11 but made his only free throw attempts late in the fourth quarter. “He’s been put in that position so much this season and didn’t come through. … (So), him coming through with that, it helps him a lot. When he gets in that situation again, he can be more relaxed and be able to make more.”

Follow IndyStar Pacers Insider Candace Buckner on Twitter: @CandaceDBuckner.

Download the Indystar Pacers Xtra App

CLEVELAND vs INDIANA

Tipoff: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Bankers Life Fieldhouse

TV: FSI, ESPN

Radio: 1070 AM, 93.5 FM

Cavaliers

Pacers

Storylines

STUCKEY FINDING RHYTHM: After scoring double digits in consecutive games, Rodney Stuckey feels as if he has turned a corner. Stuckey missed a total of 25 games due to various issues with his right foot and though he returned to action on Feb. 26, he has needed time to return to form. Then in two wins against Philadelphia and New York, Stuckey made 12-of-16 shots and scored 17 in both games.

“Being out for so long, man, I just was never in a rhythm,” Stuckey said. “Last week was the first week I could practice ever since my injury. When I first came back from this injury, I was just playing in games. I couldn’t practice. I couldn’t really do anything like that. I’m able to practice now and just doing regular basketball activities. I feel like I’m getting in better shape. It’s just been helping me. Been helping my legs as well.”



GEORGE’S LEFT ANKLE: On the Pacers’ day off, Paul George received treatment on his left ankle sprain but returned to work Tuesday still feeling soreness.

“I’ve been pretty banged up the past couple days. I still feel fine enough to guard. It’s going to be some things I can and can’t do and some limitations, but I feel fine otherwise.”

As the Pacers chase a playoff berth in the five regular season games, George expects to play.

PREDICTION: Whether the Cavaliers play or sit Irving and James, the lineup should not matter. The Pacers still need to keep winning to stay ahead in the standings of Detroit and Chicago. So, it’s necessary to get better play out of the starters and especially Lavoy Allen, who has totaled 2 points and 5 rebounds over the last two games. Cleveland 99-95.



- Candace Buckner