NBA Matchups: November 21

CUP DAY! Most of these teams are still alive, and the only ones that are somewhat dead today are the Jazz and Nets.

If I had to pick which games could get the most tight for the NBA Cup, I’d go DEN-HOU, POR-GSW, and MIN-PHX as my favorites. I could see it getting tight on MIA-CHI, too.

IND @ CLE | BKN @ BOS | WAS @ TOR | MIA @ CHI | NOP @ DAL | MIN @ PHX | DEN @ HOU | OKC @ UTA | POR @ GSW

Indiana Pacers at Cleveland Cavaliers

Team Totals: Pacers 113.5, Cavs 125

Injury Report: Jarrett Allen (Q, finger), Darius Garland (Q, toe), Jaylon Tyson (Q, concussion), Sam Merrill (O, hand)

Pacers projected starters: Andrew Nembhard, Bennedict Mathurin, Ben Sheppard, Pascal Siakam, Isaiah Jackson (Note: Could see Jay Huff starting)

Cavs projected starters: Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, De’Andre Hunter, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen

Carlisle quotes: Said Wednesday’s win started with their defense, said Mathurin’s chase-down block was the play of the game, said they were effective with their zone defense and they’re making adjustments, said it was “by far the best game” from Jay Huff and he brings a unique dimension to their center spot, said they started Huff because of his momentum, said Huff has some more value in the zone because of his shot blocking, said Mathurin is “one of the most confident people I have ever met in my life,” said they will have lineup fluidity.

Atkinson quotes: Said missing FTAs and 3PAs really hurt them, said they had excellent shot quality, said the Rockets really dominated the game and they couldn’t make them pay for sitting in the paint so much, said they’re trying to figure out ways to survive without Garland, said they’ll turn around the poor FT shooting.

Stats and Notes: 

*In a nice win against the Hornets, the Pacers really missed Bennedict Mathurin to have by far their best eFG% in a game this season (63.5, 52.1% was closest; second-best O rating, UTA game slightly better). Their halfcourt offensive efficiency was at 114.8 in their last game, and it’s just the second time all year they were above the 52nd percentile in a game. They’ll get a Cavs defense that has been spotty, and it’s been getting worse lately as their transition numbers are slipping a bit. They’re still first in PNR handler points allowed this year to make this spot tougher on guards, and in general, they can protect the paint when they rebound the ball. The Pacers have the worst PNR handler PPP allowed this season, and the Pacers also get beaten up in the paint. They’re still 28th in halfcourt defense, so expect the Cavs to deliver a bounce-back performance after the loss to Houston.

*Bennedict Mathurin went off early against the Hornets on Wednesday, as he took it to Kon Knueppel. Mathurin is drawing fouls at a Luka Doncic-like level, and he’s sixth in the NBA in transition possessions per game. The Cavs are almost certainly going to put De’Andre Hunter on him, and it may not matter with the way Mathurin can get to his spots. The Cavs are also a below-average team at putting opponents on the line. It’s a good spot for Benny here.

*Pascal Siakam gets the worst matchup with Evan Mobley set to guard him. Siakam managed just 17.8 PPG against the Cavs in the playoffs last year, as his usage was pushed down somewhat. Sure, that was with Tyrese Haliburton, and Siakam’s usage will be up there with a 4.6% increase compared to last year (30.9% this year; 23.6% last year). His usage should shift to the upper 20s with Mathurin back, but wherever it ends up, it’s not a spot I’d want to attack.