During the regular season, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers played four times, with the Pacers winning three of those contests. But, but, but…in the last regular season meeting, both teams rested their starters. In the game before that, both Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland were out. In the lone Cavaliers victory, Tyrese Haliburton was out.
When both teams were at full strength for the first meeting, the Pacers went into Cleveland and clobbered the Cavaliers, 108-93.
So, despite Cleveland posting the best regular season record in the Eastern Conference, Indiana had confidence entering their semifinal playoff matchup against the Cavaliers. They weren’t going to be shook.
And that’s how it played out early on Sunday. Indiana blistered the nets and raced out to a 36-25 lead. Cleveland chipped away, though, winning the second quarter by five points, then taking the third quarter by four points.
But Indiana maintained their poise and executed down the stretch to gain home court advantage with the 121-112 victory.
Indiana converted 53% from the field while Cleveland drained 45.9% of their shots. The three-point divergence was massive. Indiana went 19-for-36 (52.8%) from beyond the arc while Cleveland went only 9-for-38 (23.7%).
Indiana also had nine blocks to only one for Cleveland.
Cleveland did dominate in the paint – 70 to 38.
Tyrese Haliburton ($8,800; 49.75 FPTS) led the way for Indiana with 18 points, three rebounds, 13 assists, two blocks and a steal. He shot 8-of-14 from the field and 2-of-6 from downtown. Overrate that!
Myles Turner ($6,200; 37.5 FPTS) contributed 13 points, 10 rebounds, an assist, two blocks and three steals.
Pascal Siakam ($7,200; 32.5 FPTS) was solid with 17 points, six rebounds, four assists and a steal.
Aaron Nesmith ($5,200; 26 FPTS) finished with 16 points, six rebounds and a block in 22 minutes.
Andrew Nembhard ($5,500; 32.5 FPTS) delivered 21 points and six assists. He shot 7-of-10 from the field and 5-of-6 from downtown.
For Cleveland, Donovan Mitchell ($8,600; 45.75 FPTS) led the way with 31 points, five rebounds, four assists and a steal. He shot 12-of-28 from the field but only 1-of-10 from downtown and 6-of-9 from the line.
Evan Mobley ($7,700; 35.75 FPTS) had 20 points, nine rebounds, an assist and two steals.
Ty Jerome ($5,000; 32.25 FPTS) had 17 points, three rebounds and eight assists in 27 minutes off the bench.
Max Strus ($4,400; 26 FPTS) had an all-around game with seven points, six rebounds, three assists, a block and two steals in 30 minutes.
Jarrett Allen ($6,500; 23.25 FPTS) could only muster 12 points, five rebounds, an assist and two steals in 29 minutes.
Darius Garland was unable to play due to a toe injury.
