Cavs-Pacers Halftime Dribbles …

Halftime dribbles from Game 1 of the Cavaliers vs. Pacers on Sunday at Rocket Arena. …

1. As suspected, it’s been a challenge thus far. The Pacers are an incredibly streaky team and for most of the first half, it was a hot streak. They hit six of their first nine 3-pointers and nine of the first 15.

2. Meanwhile, the Cavs started 5-of-20 on threes. That’s been the difference, as Indiana is up 64-58.

3. On the bright side for the Cavs, that may have been their worst half of basketball in the playoffs and they’re only down six. 

4. Coach Kenny Atkinson has extended the defense to nearly the halfcourt line, and for a while there, De’Andre Hunter, Isaac Okoro and Sam Merrill did an outstanding job on the wings. The Cavs just need more of that. The Pacers can keep up this pace, yes. But I want to see what happens if/when they don’t.

5. Donovan Mitchell has 15 points, Evan Mobley and Ty Jerome have 11. Hunter has been very good all-around and has scored nine points on 4-of-6 shooting.

6. Indiana went 6-of-9 on threes in the first quarter to build a 36-25 lead. Meanwhile, the Cavs started 3-15 on threes. It’s about more than just 3-point shooting. But if Cleveland can do a better job defending the arc in the second half, this should get a lot easier.

7. It’s not why Cavs are losing … but there sure are a lot of ticky-tack fouls being called. Nothing worse than inconsistency from the officials at this time of year.