The Cavs did not act like a team that knew the Pacers would be better, however. The defensive intensity that has defined the team to date was missing, and Cleveland did not contest the Pacers' shots with anything close to the discipline it typically shows.

The Cavaliers had no trouble with the Miami Heat in the first round. Cleveland swept Miami in the most lopsided series in NBA history, outscoring the Heat by 122 points in four games. The Cavs had seven players average in double figures in scoring in the first-round sweep and averaged 126 points per game against Miami.