Cavaliers Even Up NBA Playoff Series with 126-104 Win

The Cavaliers respond to a must-win situation with a 126-104 victory over the Pacers, keeping their playoff hopes alive.

Donovan Mitchell was instrumental in the Cavaliers' win, scoring 43 points, grabbing 9 rebounds, dishing out 5 assists, and adding a steal. This impressive performance came after his 48 points in Game 2 weren't enough to prevent a Pacers comeback.

The Cavaliers' victory was also fueled by the return of key players from injury. All-Star guard Darius Garland contributed 10 points after missing four games with a sprained toe. Meanwhile, Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley had a dominant game with 18 points, 13 rebounds, 3 steals, and 3 blocks, limiting Tyrese Haliburton to just 4 points. De'Andre Hunter also played a crucial role as a key reserve.

Bennedict Mathurin led the Pacers' scoring efforts with 23 points off the bench. However, the Cavaliers' strong team defense and balanced offense secured their win. Unlike previous games, Cleveland didn't need a dramatic comeback, instead relying on consistent play.

The Cavaliers dominated the game's early stages, jumping to an 11-0 lead and maintaining their advantage throughout. Although the Pacers briefly tied the score at 32-32 heading into the second quarter, Cleveland quickly regained control. They held Tyrese Haliburton scoreless in the second quarter, ultimately taking a commanding 66-45 halftime lead.

The Pacers mounted a late comeback, cutting a 24-point deficit to 11 with 7:49 left in the fourth quarter. However, Donovan Mitchell's clutch performance, including one of his five three-pointers, and a pass to Max Strus for another three-pointer, helped the Cavaliers pull away again.

Mitchell reflected on the challenging game, noting the physicality and intensity. “It's hard to blow a team out by 20 in their place - we saw that last game even in our place, it's hard to keep a lead - it's just hard in this league,” he said, highlighting the difficulty of maintaining leads in the competitive NBA.

Donovan Mitchell emphasized the Pacers' resilience, saying, “They're not a team that's going to fold easily. We let one slip away at home in a similar fashion, so for me, couldn't let it happen again.” He credited his team's defensive stops and plays, adding, “And it wasn't just me. I know I scored, but we got stops, made plays.”

The Cavaliers will look to even the series when they visit the Pacers for Game 4 on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets will host the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference semifinals. After losing Game 1 at home, the Thunder bounced back with a dominant 43-point win to tie the series 1-1, and they'll aim to keep the momentum going in Denver.