Denver (AP) - The scenery changes certainly serve the Cleveland Cavaliers well. Because they made themselves in their home in Indy.
It's a common theme in the second leg of the NBA playoffs, and so far the Road team has 7-3 points. Nuggets interim head coach David Adelman has many possible theories that explain why there doesn't seem to offer any advantage at the moment.
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For Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell, what really matters is that they saved their season with the Pacers victory Friday night. The East's Best Cavaliers are now behind one-seventh of their 2-1 after dropping their first two games at home, entering their Game 4 in Indianapolis on Sunday night.
Mitchell talked about coach Kenny Atkinson’s message before Game 3. “I know he didn’t say it.
The Nuggets took a 2-1 series lead thanks to a steal in Game 1 at Oklahoma City. Of course, they were beaten by 43 points in Game 2, but they protected their home court with a 113-104 overtime victory on Friday night.
"It's easy to say, 'just stay in it, man,'" said Adelman, the son of Hall of Fame coach Rick Adelman. "They come in at 100 miles per hour, they have a great basketball team, well-trained. It feels good to win."
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As for Homecourt Advantage, David Adelman believes that the three-pointer has become a huge equalizer for the road team.
“I also think that’s why you’re seeing more blowouts in the playoffs because there are teams that can get hot and cause 20, 22 3s,” Adelman explained. “It could get out of control soon.”
More importantly, Ademan believes that today's players are almost isolated from the hustle and bustle of the opponent's arena.
"Maybe this is the way they grew up, play AAU and travel around and play," Adelman said. "It's unlikely that they're feeling anxious on the road."
Thunder coach Mark Digneault takes an easier approach in road games or any game.
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"If we can stay focused, then in a great environment, we need to do what we need to do, we have confidence that we can win the game," Daigneault said.
Oklahoma City in the Denver Nuggets
When/Where to watch: 4, 3:30 pm ET (ABC)
Series: Nuggets lead, 2-1
Betmgm says: Thunder 5.5
What to know: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic are the frontrunners of the NBA MVP game, scoring 15 of 15 out of 47 points in Game 3, including 16 out of 3-point range. Seeing this shooting display - Jokic, 25, scored 22 in 22, would be a big surprise. The Thunder did a great job of dominating the MVP's Jokic scrolling coverage. He had 16 rebounds, scored 20 points and 6 assists. He has not recorded a triple-double in the series in seven games in the first round against the Los Angeles Clippers. Gilgeous-Alexander was 1 out of 8 in the fourth quarter, with no overtime. "Some of these shots feel good," said Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored 18 points and 13 rebounds in nearly 45 minutes. "Obviously they didn't go in."
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Indiana Pacers' Cleveland Cavaliers
When/Where to watch: Game 3, 8 pm (TNT/TRUTV)
Series: Pacers lead, 2-1.
Betmgm said: Cavaliers 4.5.
What to know: Cleveland played the best, most complete game in the series to avoid a horrible 3-0 deficit. But the problem still exists. All-star guard Darius Garland wasn't himself after returning from a toe injury, forcing him to miss the first four games, and Atkinson wasn't sure if he would play on Sunday night. Atkinson is still waiting to see what NBA defensive player of the year Evan Mobley and key backup De'andre Hunter feel after the injury. The Pacers are looking for much better than the coach Rick Carlisle criticized Friday night. They also have to find a way to slow down, with Mitchell scoring 33, 48 and 43 points in the first three games. Most importantly, they have to find a way to ignite All-Star guard Tyreth Halliburton. He scored four points and five assists on Friday, and he had little noticeable appearance.
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Associated Press sports writer Mike Marot contributed to the report.
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