The Pacers trail the Cleveland 3-0 in their best-of-seven first-round series, but it’s been close. C.J. Miles potential game-winning jumper just missed as time expired in Game 1; Game 2 was decided by six points; and in Game 3, the Pacers led by 25 points at intermission — and loss. It was the greatest halftime deficit overcome in a win by the Cavaliers, 119-114.

Three Pacers losses to the LeBron James-led Cavaliers by a total of 12 points.

Jason Smeathers, a basketball trainer with Rob Blackwell over at St. Vincent Sports Performance, joins me on the podcast to breakdown the series. Like me, he was at Bankers Life Fieldhouse for Game 3.

Smeathers is a local product, a graduate from Center Grove High School. He then went on to play one year IUPUI — with George Hill providing the assist on obtaining a scholarship — and he finished his career at IPFW. He then played two years overseas, one year in Australia and the other in Canada.

Now, he’s a keen observer of the NBA product — watching games nearly every night.

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Topics Discussed:

* How the Pacers have played and been in every game.

* Cavaliers’ adjustments in the second half.

* Can Paul George be a No. 1 player?

* How the Pacers may have awaken the beast.

* Why Lance Stephenson is a force for good.