CJ Miles missed a last-minute shot after Paul George was double teamed and the Pacers fell to the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the NBA Playoffs 109-108.
LeBron James scored 32 points and the defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers, looking to flip the switch after a shaky regular season, began the NBA playoffs by escaping a near upset.
Playing in his 200th playoff game, James added 13 assists and six rebounds while winning his 18th consecutive first-round game.
However, it was anything but easy as the Cavs had to withstand a strong comeback by the Pacers, who could have stolen the opener but C.J. Miles missed a 14-foot jumper in the final second.
Kyrie Irving added 23 points and Kevin Love had 17 for Cleveland, which has won 12 straight playoff games at home.
Paul George scored 29 points and Lance Stephenson had 16 for the seventh-seeded Pacers, who will try to even the series on Monday night.
George had the ball in his hands on the final possession, but the Cavs double-teamed him, forcing him to pass to Miles, who has always shot well against his former team. His shot was on line, but short and the Cavs survived a disastrous final few minutes.
Here's a look back at the game in tweets:
It's GAMETIME! #NBAonABC pic.twitter.com/r2YtTgR5KD
— NBA (@NBA) April 15, 2017
Already on pace for 188 fouls in this game
— Brad Brown (@BradBrownTV) April 15, 2017
The #NBAPlayoffs are underway on #NBAonABC!#GoPacers#DefendTheLand pic.twitter.com/wNqvsXtkve
— NBA (@NBA) April 15, 2017
PG steal + 3-pointer#BoomBaby pic.twitter.com/mi4uHEJ40I
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) April 15, 2017
End of the 1st: Cavs 34, #Pacers 29@Yg_Trece 6p/2r
Monta Ellis 5p/1a@yungsmoove21 4p/5r#PacersPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/El8L0cyS4c— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) April 15, 2017
11 points from PG in the first half.#GoPacers pic.twitter.com/cgRgT0asTa
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) April 15, 2017
The @cavs shoot 61% from the field. Love (15), Kyrie (15) & LBJ (14/8) lead the way.
CLE leads @Pacers 66-59 on #NBAonABC. PG: 16 PTS. pic.twitter.com/C2QGg13PFM
— NBA (@NBA) April 15, 2017
Halftime in Cleveland: Cavs 66, #Pacers 59@Yg_Trece 16p/4a
Monta Ellis 9p/3r@StephensonLance 6p/3r#PacersPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/RozyDwt1Mk— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) April 15, 2017
?? 25 points now from @Yg_Trece ?? pic.twitter.com/RGkvaoSepM
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) April 15, 2017
6:15 to go in the third, and I have heard "DEFEND THE LAND" 12,547,615 times.
— Michael Grady (@Grady) April 15, 2017
Turner showing no fear on #NBAonABC!@Pacers will not go away. #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/81K7s27pBf
— NBA (@NBA) April 15, 2017
New half, same PG.
Up to 25 points on #NBAonABC! pic.twitter.com/E7J6R3BcO2
— NBA (@NBA) April 15, 2017
Heading into the 4th...@Yg_Trece 25p/5a
Monta Ellis 11p/4r@Teague0 9p/4a#GoPacers pic.twitter.com/a5Ue69U10N— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) April 15, 2017
And just like that, an 10-0 run for the Cavs. A little less Teague guarding LBJ, please...
— Dave Furst (@DaveFurst) April 15, 2017
Back to back buckets for Lance on #NBAonABC!#NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/hpboFhKIIi
— NBA (@NBA) April 15, 2017
2 point game.@Pacers have climbed back in it on #NBAonABC. pic.twitter.com/X47z1P6hzT
— NBA (@NBA) April 15, 2017
One of the few times Lance didn't attack the rim, he misses a three on a key possession. Gotta give it to PG.
— Michael Grady (@Grady) April 15, 2017
#Pacers fall just short in Game 1. We’re back for Game 2 on Monday.@Yg_Trece 29p/7a@StephensonLance 16p/7r@Teague0 15p/4a pic.twitter.com/uj8lkh0MU1
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) April 15, 2017
Cleveland exhales.
Wish Paul would have attacked when LeBron stepped up to double.... Didn't really set up a good look off the double.
— Michael Grady (@Grady) April 15, 2017
SUPERCALIFRAGELISTICESPIALI-TROCIOUS https://t.co/EvZ8H8dZK9
— Marlene Toscano (@MarBehindTheBar) April 15, 2017
PG, on the final possession: "I'm confident in all my guys taking shots, that's not the issue. But in that situation, I've gotta get that." pic.twitter.com/sU3xJ2U9Pt
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) April 15, 2017
