The Indiana Pacers grabbed the 7th seed in the Eastern Conference, and with it a date with 2nd seeded Cleveland Cavaliers. But Pacers star Paul George isn't backing down from the defending champs — in fact, he's embracing the challenge.
“We've got to go out and challenge them,” George told Nate Taylor of the Indy Star. “It's going to be tough. They've been struggling of late, but they're still one of the best teams in this game and have one of the best players in the world.”
George is spot on with his analysis. The Cavs struggled in March and April, with LeBron James and company managing just a meager record of 10-14. However, the team clearly turned it on when it mattered most last season, becoming the first team in NBA history to come back from a 3-1 deficit in the NBA Finals, and nothing suggests they won't turn it up another gear again in this year's playoffs.
Regardless of the expected Cavaliers series victory, George can't wait to get things started.
“It's going to be a fun matchup,” George said. I'm looking forward to it. If you ask me, it's who I've wanted to match up against.”