CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Heading into the postseason there were countless questions about the Cleveland Cavaliers' leaky defense -- the end of the floor that was widely expected to be the primary cause of another season without an NBA championship.
That hasn't been the case through the first three games against Indiana.
In a stunning turnaround, the Cavaliers' foundation -- an explosive offense that ranked fifth during the regular season and averaged nearly 111 points per game -- has started to crack in the face of Indiana's swarming defense.
Thanks to some really smart adjustments, the Cavs opened Game 3 with an offensive flurry, scoring 57 first-half points on 21-of-39 (53.8 percent) shooting from the field and 5-of-10 (50 percent) from 3-point range. They assisted on 12 of the 21 made shots and boasted a scintillating offensive rating of 127.5.
It was the team-wide aggressiveness head coach Tyronn Lue demanded, as three players (LeBron James, Kevin Love and George Hill) reached double figures and finally gave James the help he needed.
But it all changed during a perplexing second half. The Pacers adjusted brilliantly to Cleveland's initial game plan and the Cavs had few answers.
"I just thought their physicality," Lue said after the 92-90 loss. "Denying the basketball, getting into us so when we catch the ball we're back on our heels. The pressure. I thought it just hurt us. Um, 10 turnovers in the second half, that cost us, too. Got them back in the game early. But we just didn't come out in that third quarter ready to play.
"So, we got to be better in the third quarter. Starting the third quarter, whatever it is we need to get ourselves ready to play we got to do. But I just thought they were tougher than us in the second half."
Love, forceful in the first half while taking advantage of lesser defenders, got bullied by Thaddeus Young and lost any offensive rhythm he had. Love's lone second-half hoop came with 7.7 seconds left, breathing life back into the Cavaliers for a moment.
"I think when he went out in the third quarter and we brought him back, we usually bring him back and feature him in the fourth quarter," Lue said. "I think with LeBron playing in that fourth quarter and us hurting as far as ball handlers on the floor, we kind of run to other situations. But with that being said, we got to get him more shots than two in the second half."
JR Smith, maddeningly inconsistent throughout the season, repeatedly clanked open outside shots before getting into foul trouble. Jordan Clarkson continued his horrid postseason. Kyle Korver couldn't find the range, a surprising negative after his vital performance in the Game 2 win. Hill became invisible, bothered by an achy back. Even James had an abnormal third quarter before nearly saving the Cavs in the fourth.
In all, the Cavs scored just 33 points on 13-of-38 (34.2 percent) shooting and 5-of-22 (22.7 percent) from beyond the arc. They had more turnovers (10) than assists (5) and finished with a ghastly 69.7 offensive rating.
Through it all, the Cavs still had a chance. All because of an oft-criticized defense.
Cleveland continued its aggressive blitz strategy against Victor Oladipo, who has been pestered after his Game 1 eruption. He scored just 18 points on 5-of-15 (33.3 percent) from the field and 1-of-8 (12.5 percent) from 3-point range -- held below his season average for the second straight game. The Pacers committed 20 turnovers, a rare number for a team ranked top 10 in that category, averaging 12.8. Darren Collision, the player Cleveland tabbed as the second-most dangerous, was held to three points on 1-of-7 shooting.
For the third straight game, the Pacers were held below 100 points. It should've been good enough. It has been all season and in past playoff runs. Not this year.
Friday night was yet another rude reminder that these aren't the same Cavaliers from the last three years. You know, the uber-talented group with far too much firepower for the opponent to handle. There are more exploitable offensive weaknesses and the Pacers unmasked them in that stunning second half.
Still, there was no way to see this coming. It's not so much that the Cavaliers are trailing a first-round series, on the ropes in a way in which they aren't accustomed. After all, this is arguably their toughest opening opponent of the LeBron era.
It's more that the offense has vanished and suddenly a deep roster is shrinking on the game's biggest stage.
This team was built to bomb 3's and outshoot any mistakes, especially the plethora on the defensive end. They go as the offense goes.
The Cavs are averaging just 90 points in this series. They've only hit the 100-point mark twice and are currently second from the bottom in offensive efficiency, only ahead of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
On the other side, the reigning Eastern Conference champions are the fifth-best postseason defense and the Pacers have yet to crack the century mark.
Somehow, after turning in three of their best defensive performances all season, better showings than even the most optimistic person could have anticipated, the Cavs still find themselves in a hole.
Yes, it's getting close to panic time.