Eastern Conference Playoffs Preview- Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Indiana Pacers

X-Factors

Cleveland Cavaliers: Deron Williams

The Cavs have many players that can step up and make a difference in any given game during this series. It’s tough narrowing this decision to one player because Korver, Frye and Shumpert could all be x-factors. However, Deron Williams is the guy that could have the most impact out of all of them. The reason the Cavs signed Williams was to have a reliable back up point guard to give LeBron and Kyrie some rest.

Williams recently had a 35 point and nine assist game for the Cavaliers while LeBron and Kyrie took a night off. Deron looked like every bit of the player that deserved the huge contract from the Brooklyn Nets a few years back. If he can come off the bench and give half the performance he put on display, then Cleveland will be in great shape.

Indiana Pacers: Lance Stephenson

Stephenson was recently re-acquired about 2 weeks ago and is happy to be back in the place where his NBA career began. The Cavaliers actually worked out Lance earlier this year when they were in search of a play-maker. Lance can distribute, score and can play good defense when he locks in. That is exactly who you want coming off the bench to give the starters a long enough rest, especially in the playoffs.

Like George, Stephenson and LeBron have some history between them:

Lance makes it his personal mission to get under player’s skin to affect their game, and sometimes it works. Surely LeBron won’t be fazed by his antics, but it makes for good tv.