We told everyone it wouldn’t be easy.

There is a lot of angst over the Cavaliers’ loss in game one to the Indiana Pacers, but for us, that feeling of deep concern won’t take hold unless they lose tonight to go down 0-2 in the seven-game series.

We hate to break things down in the first game to the NBA being a “make or miss league”, but that’s a good place to start. The Pacers made 53% of their three-point shots and the Cavs, the second-best team in the NBA in three-point field goal percentage, made just 9 for 38 shots from beyond the arc.

There was a 30-point difference from three between the two games. It’s tough to win when you shoot poorly and the other team is hot.

Aaron Nesmith is a very good three-point shooter, making 43% in the regular season and he knocked down four of six, but Andrew Nembhard hit five of six, and he’s a 29% shooter during the 82-game schedule.

Conversely, Donovan Mitchell (36.8%) and Max Strus (38.6%) combined to hit just 3 of 19 shots from distance.

Besides missing shots, the other troubling thing about the wine and gold’s offense was the 50 shots (out of 98) taken by Mitchell and Ty Jerome. The only other Cleveland player who took more than 10 shots was Evan Mobley, who went 9 for 13 from the floor.

The shooting was a big part of the reason for the loss, but certainly not the only reason. The Pacers definitely played with more physicality, and remember they went to the conference finals last season, they have more playoff experience than Cleveland, and it showed.

The Cavs have to pick it up in terms of physical play, and this is something we feel this group needs to reminded of constantly.

Also, Kenny Atkinson loves to talk about the depth of the Cavs and during the regular season and in round one, he was right. However, Sunday night, Indiana had five bench players score, led by Bennedict Mathurin with 11.

The wine and gold had just three bench players score, but to be fair, Sam Merrill started in place of the injured Darius Garland. Jerome and De’Andre Hunter both scored in double figures, but the only other bench points were from Isaac Okoro, who had a bucket.

We thought Okoro was effective in the first half. He was a +6 and hit a layup and had two assists and two rebounds. He didn’t do much in the second half. But in the second half, it seemed he was cast as a three-point shooter, something he’s not good at. He’s much better when he attacks the basket.

Wade is another solid defender, but didn’t even attempt a shot in the first half. In the second half he missed two shots, including a wide open three which would have caused the roof at Rocket Arena to be blown off.

Because of the injuries to Garland, Hunter, and Mobley someone has to step up. Excuses are for when the series is over. Competitors overcome them. And a couple of players are going to have to produce more if none of the injured players can go.

Atkinson has to figure out a way to have both players be serviceable offensively so their defense can be a weapon.

Really, what Sunday’s loss did most was make tonight’s game pretty much a must win for the Cavaliers. They’ve demonstrated all year the ability to win on the road, but losing both home games would make it very difficult to advance.

This might be the first time all season this groups back have been against the wall. We will see what the response is.