The Indiana Pacers cannot connect a lot significance to their 129-117 preseason win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday, on condition that Cleveland retained 4 of its starters, together with Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland and Evan Mobley, as properly than one of the best below and former Pacers. guard Caris LeVert. It isn’t the identical as beating the group that grabbed the fourth seed within the Jap Convention final 12 months and knocked out the younger and harmful Magic earlier than dropping to the Celtics in 5 video games within the semi-final.
That sport might not have meant a lot to most of its individuals, but it surely meant quite a bit to freshman Enrique Freeman, a Cleveland native who performed at Akron, main Division I in rebounding as a senior. Freeman may return to Cleveland this 12 months, however he is on a two-way contract, so he won’t both. His household and associates took benefit of the chance as he had greater than 50 individuals in attendance for Thursday night time’s sport.
As Rick Carlisle tends to do, he discovered alternatives for Freeman to shine. He really checked in first amongst gamers who could be thought-about for the third unit and he performed 16 minutes and 18 seconds, greater than Ben Sheppard and greater than starters Andrew Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith.
He responded with a efficiency like so many others he is had in Akron. He had 9 factors and 9 rebounds, with seven of these rebounds approaching the offensive glass. He was energetic on each ends and even confirmed vary by flattening a 3-point shot. He additionally added an help and a blocked shot.
The night didn’t finish properly as he fell awkwardly on his proper leg on the finish of the match. It appeared he was affected by cramps, but it surely was unclear what his damage was. Veteran James Johnson Jr. lastly had to assist him get to the locker room.
Freeman is on a two-way contract and given the make-up of the remainder of the roster, he’ll doubtless spend extra time with the Mad Ants this 12 months than the Pacers. However his power Thursday was an indication that the second-round choose may need an opportunity to make a long-term impression.
This text was initially revealed on the Indianapolis Star: Ex-Akron star Enrique Freeman shines in return towards Cavs
