It wasn't always pretty, but the Cleveland Cavaliers have advanced to the second round of the NBA playoffs after finishing off the Indiana Pacers on Sunday with a 106-102 win.
While the Cavs did pull off a sweep, it wasn't as easy as the series might indicate. They beat the Pacers by a combined 16 points in those four games and became the first team in over 20 years to sweep a best-of-seven series while allowing at least 100 points in every game.
It won't get any easier for the Cavs, who will either face the young Milwaukee Bucks or the experienced Toronto Raptors in the second round.
With the series tied 2-2 and the pivotal Game 5 on Monday night in Toronto, which team would be a tougher matchup for LeBron James & Co. in the next round?
Vote now!
Although the Cavs' defense continued to show cracks throughout the first round, James was masterful against the Pacers. In four games, the 32-year-old averaged 32.8 points, 9.8 rebounds and 9.0 assists while shooting 54.3 percent from the field.
No matter who Cleveland plays in the second round, they'll have to figure out a way to shut down opposing star power. Through five games, Giannis Antetokounmpo is leading the Bucks in points (21.3), rebounds (10.0), steals (2.0) and blocks (1.3). On the other side, DeMar DeRozan is averaging 22.8 points per game. He scored 33 points in the Raptors 87-76 Game 4 win.
The Bucks and Raptors tip off at 7 p.m. ET on Monday night.
--Isaac Chipps
