Playoff P Arrives.

Game 1 against the Pacers. Quicken Loans Arena was packed to capacity.

It was just the first round, but Cleveland fans had been waiting long enough. The energy in the building was electric, the pregame introductions drowned out by deafening cheers.

But across from them, the Pacers weren't backing down either.

They weren't the same team from two years ago, but they came in with confidence.

And it showed early.

Monta Ellis and Paul George attacked the Cavaliers' defense relentlessly, using screens to get into the paint. Jokić was trying, but he was still a rookie. And like most rookies, he had to pay his dues.

Barely five minutes in, Jokić picked up his second foul and had to sit.

The difference in playoff officiating hit him immediately—calls were tighter, physicality was different, and the adjustment period was real.

Frank Vogel saw the weakness and went straight for it, targeting Cleveland's interior.

But despite that early success, the Pacers couldn't build a lead.

Because Jokić, while a key piece, wasn't the key to Cleveland's success.

As long as they had Han Sen, they had a chance.

And this season? They had a fully evolved Kyrie Irving.

Irving wasted no time, exploding for 14 points in the first quarter, giving the Cavaliers a 30-23 lead.

In the second, it was Paul George's turn.

He started with a pull-up jumper over P.J. Tucker, then followed it with a three off the dribble—five quick points right out of the gate.

Before his injury, George had relied more on off-ball movement and driving to the rim. But after his return, with his explosiveness slightly diminished, his game had shifted—he took on more on-ball responsibilities, leaning into his pull-up game.

It made him less efficient, but it also gave Indiana a true go-to scorer.

With David West gone and Roy Hibbert no longer effective, the Pacers had abandoned their post-heavy offense, placing everything on their perimeter players.

George was feeling it, pouring in 13 points in the second quarter.

By halftime, Cleveland's lead had shrunk to 54-50.

It was a close fight.

Then, in the third quarter, Mike Malone pulled out his ace—Cleveland's small-ball lineup.

And right away, Jokić made his presence felt, burying a three from the top of the arc.

Foul trouble had kept him out of rhythm in the first half, but after a reset in the locker room, he was back in form.

And against Hibbert? It was a nightmare matchup.

It was modern basketball exposing the old school in real-time.

If Hibbert stepped out to contest Jokić, Indiana's paint defense collapsed.

If he stayed inside, Jokić made him pay from deep.

But the real damage wasn't the spacing—it was the pace.

Indiana had no answer for Cleveland's transition game. Hibbert, unable to keep up, became a liability.

In just five minutes, Cleveland's lead ballooned to double digits.

Vogel had no choice. Timeout.

When play resumed, he made adjustments, pulling Hibbert and subbing in Myles Turner and George Hill.

Indiana's lineup: George Hill, Monta Ellis, Tony Allen, Paul George, Myles Turner.

It wasn't their ideal five, but it matched up better with Cleveland's speed.

And immediately, it paid off.

Irving ran pick-and-rolls with Jokić, but the Pacers had answers.

First, Turner contested Irving's jumper.

Next, he denied Jokić at the rim.

Turner, the 11th pick of the draft, had already shown flashes of defensive brilliance in his rookie year, averaging 10.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game.

If not for Hibbert's contract clogging the roster, Turner would have been Indiana's full-time starting center.

At 6'11" (2.11m) with a 7'4" (2.24m) wingspan, Turner wasn't just physically on par with Jokić—he was quicker.

Cleveland's small-ball attack stalled, and by the end of the third, their lead stood at 83-75.

Still comfortable, but not enough to close the game.

The cameras panned to Mike Malone.

No panic. No frustration.

Just calm confidence.

Because if Cleveland's small-ball couldn't end it?

They still had Han Sen.

---

The fourth quarter belonged to Han.

First possession—backdown, spin, fadeaway jumper over Tony Allen.

Bucket.

Allen had evolved into an All-Defensive caliber player since leaving Memphis.

But Han knew him too well.

Allen had no real weaknesses—quick feet, fast hands, elite at navigating screens.

You couldn't attack him off the dribble. You couldn't shake him with a pick.

But height?

Height was one thing he couldn't change.

So Han backed him down, forcing Indiana to adjust.

After a couple more buckets, the Pacers started collapsing on him.

A year ago, Han would've fought through it, forcing tough shots just to prove he could.

But this year?

He didn't have to.

Because now he had Irving.

And Jokić.

Especially Jokić.

Every time the double came, Jokić flashed to the rim.

Han found him every time.

And just like that, Cleveland closed it out.

Han put up 18 points in the fourth, sealing a 109-96 victory.

---

Box Score

Cavaliers:

Han Sen – 41 PTS, 7 REB, 6 AST

Kyrie Irving – 25 PTS, 7 AST

J.R. Smith – 11 PTS

Nikola Jokić – 10 PTS, 8 REB, 5 AST

Tristan Thompson – 8 PTS, 8 REB

Pacers:

Paul George – 27 PTS, 6 REB, 3 AST

Monta Ellis – 20 PTS, 5 AST

George Hill – 15 PTS, 4 AST

Myles Turner – 8 PTS, 10 REB, 2 BLK

---

"We all know what PG went through two years ago. Seeing him come back and perform at this level—I'm happy for him."

At the postgame press conference, Han Sen acknowledged Paul George's resilience and performance.

But compliments aside, Cleveland had taken care of business in Game 1. And two days later, it was time for Game 2 at Quicken Loans Arena.

The Cavs weren't just looking for another win—they wanted to send a message.

Mike Malone had already made his adjustments.

First, he reinforced the paint, assigning Tristan Thompson to provide extra help for Jokić against Indiana's drives.

Second? He gave Han the green light to go on the attack from the jump.

Malone's strategy was clear—don't let the series drag out. End it before Indiana even thinks they have a chance.

And Han wasted no time, scoring on back-to-back isolations.

Indiana adjusted.

But instead of doubling him, Paul George stepped up to take the one-on-one assignment himself.

George had the size, length, and quickness to at least challenge Han—more so than Tony Allen in a pure matchup situation.

For a brief moment, Han thought of an old rival.

But just like before, it didn't matter.

George couldn't stop him either.

Han adjusted his approach, attacking more with face-up moves and working through screens instead of forcing post-ups.

And once he and Jokić started running pick-and-rolls?

It was curtains for Hibbert.

If Hibbert sagged off, Han buried a pull-up three.

If Hibbert stepped up, Han blew past him.

By the time the first quarter ended, Han had already poured in 21 points, leading the Cavs to a 35-22 advantage.

The Pacers looked rattled.

Cleveland never let them recover.

Final score: 114-98.

Series: 2-0.

Indiana had come in hoping to steal one on the road.

Instead, they left with a reality check.

---

With the series shifting to Indiana, Cleveland had a chance to take full control.

So far, the Cavaliers had dominated. If nothing changed, Game 3 should've been no different.

But Frank Vogel had other plans.

His biggest adjustment? Roy Hibbert was benched.

Myles Turner was now the full-time starter.

And the impact? Immediate.

Turner gave Indiana much-needed mobility on defense and better spacing on offense.

Hibbert had once been a reliable mid-range shooter, but this season, his touch had completely abandoned him—0-for-4 in the first two games.

Turner, on the other hand, could stretch the floor, forcing Cleveland's defense to adjust.

And on the other end?

Paul George was on fire.

For the first time in the series, Cleveland found itself in a real fight.

Game 3 came down to the wire.

Indiana's crowd was electric.

Despite two blowout losses, if the Pacers could defend home court, they'd be right back in the series.

With 20 seconds left, Monta Ellis attacked the rim, drew a foul, and calmly sank both free throws.

108-108.

Cleveland called timeout.

Everyone in the building knew what was coming.

Han Sen.

One-on-one.

Paul George stepped up to take the challenge.

Han hit him with a deadly crossover, shifting George off balance, then a ghost-step move to the rim.

Tony Allen rotated over—too late.

Contact. The whistle blew. And the ball rolled in.

AND ONE.

The arena went silent.

They'd seen this before.

The same helplessness the Heat felt in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Han stepped to the line.

Nothing but net.

111-108.

Six seconds left.

The Pacers had one last shot.

George inbounded from the sideline.

Down three, they had no choice but to go for the deep ball.

Vogel's play was drawn up for Ellis—but Cleveland had him locked down.

Even Turner, trying to make a desperate pass, had the ball tipped by Jokić.

But then—

Paul George swooped in, snatched the loose ball, and fired from deep.

A step beyond the arc.

Low percentage. Off-balance.

Swish.

The arena exploded.

George turned to Han and hit the three-finger celebration.

For the first time, Han felt George's challenge.

But that was all it was—a moment.

Because once overtime started, Indiana was finished.

Han took over.

Pull-up threes.

Driving layups through contact.

Fadeaways over Tony Allen.

A thunderous dunk through George at the rim.

Every single bucket in overtime? Han Sen.

Final score: 121-113 (OT).

---

Box Score:

Cavaliers:

Han Sen – 46 PTS, 8 REB, 6 AST

Kyrie Irving – 26 PTS, 7 AST

Nikola Jokić – 12 PTS, 9 REB, 4 AST

J.R. Smith – 10 PTS

Tristan Thompson – 9 PTS, 10 REB

Pacers:

Paul George – 39 PTS, 7 REB, 4 AST

Monta Ellis – 23 PTS, 5 AST

George Hill – 14 PTS

Myles Turner – 10 PTS, 11 REB, 3 BLK

---

"PG was incredible tonight. No doubt about it," Han said postgame. "He's going to be a superstar. I hope to see him succeed in Indiana."

George had pushed Cleveland to the edge.

Had Han not hit the clutch and-one before George's three? The Cavs would've lost.

For the first time, this series had real tension.

And if George didn't demand a trade like he did in 'history'?

His career might take a completely different path.

Of course, even if Han eventually forced him out of Indiana, it wouldn't matter.

George, whether in a Pacers jersey or somewhere else, would always be in Han's way.

Down 0-3, the Pacers didn't roll over like Miami did last year.

They fought back.

George delivered another masterpiece, carrying Indiana to a hard-fought Game 4 win at home.

Series: 3-1.

But that was all they had left.

Back in Cleveland for Game 5, Han took on the full defensive assignment against George.

The game? Over before it even started.

Cleveland never trailed.

Final score: Cavaliers win 4-1.

The Pacers had put up a tougher fight than last year's Bulls.

But in the end?

They still only managed one win.

Cleveland was on another level.

This wasn't just about adding Jokić.

This was about Han. Kyrie. The entire roster.

Everything was better.

And their next opponent?

The Toronto Raptors.

Round 2 was set.