Dave McMenamin is on the Cleveland Cavaliers beat, covering all things LeBron James and the Cavs for ESPN.

The Pacers’ first-round series begins in Cleveland where they’ll try to beat LeBron James in the playoffs for the first time. He’s ended their postseason run in five of the last seven years.

The Pacers, meanwhile, are pushing the underdog role, which suits them. Nobody picked them to have a successful season and here they are in the playoffs, in the 4 vs 5 matchup.

“Everyone is watching,” Lance Stephenson said. “We’re all up for this (series). It’s going to be challenging, it’s going to be hard, but I think we’re set for it.”

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Topics Discussed:

* Drama, mid-season changes, and JR Smith throwing soup at a coach

* LeBron and Lance

* The Pacers embracing being the underdogs

* Both teams excelling in late-game situations

* Nate McMillan vs Ty Lue

* Kevin Love and the stigma around mental health