The Indiana Pacers handed the Cleveland Cavaliers a resounding defeat with a score of 129-109, leaving the Eastern Conference leaders on the brink of elimination in the conference semifinals, with a 3-1 disadvantage in the series.
The Pacers dominated the game from the start, reaching halftime with a 41-point lead, reflecting a partial score of 80-39.
The situation for the Cavaliers became even more complicated with the injury of their star, Donovan Mitchell, who suffered an ankle injury during warm-up.
Pascal Siakam led the Pacers’ attack with 21 points, followed by Myles Turner and Obi Toppin, both with 20 points. Tyrese Haliburton contributed 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists.
On the part of Cleveland, Darius Garland scored 21 points, while Isaac Okoro contributed 13 and Donovan Mitchell, 12.
The Cavaliers face a considerable challenge, as overcoming a 3-1 deficit in the playoffs is a difficult task, achieved only 13 times out of 293 in NBA history.
The fifth game of the series will be played on Tuesday in Cleveland. If necessary, the sixth game will be played on Thursday in Indianapolis.
The first quarter of the game set the tone, with the Pacers demonstrating their determination at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Despite the early ejection of Bennedict Mathurin, who was disqualified for an incident with De’Andre Hunter, the Pacers maintained their course, closing the quarter with a score of 38-23.
The Pacers continued their dominance in the second quarter, with a 10-0 run at the start and another 19-2 run at the end, showcasing a solid defense that limited the Cavaliers to only 16 points in 12 minutes.
At halftime, the Cavaliers had only made 8 field goals out of 32 attempts (25% effectiveness) and were losing in assists (3-25), rebounds (18-30), and turnovers (14-4).
Meanwhile, the Pacers recorded a 60% field goal percentage (30 of 50), including 12 of 18 three-pointers (66.7%).
Donovan Mitchell’s ankle injury during halftime was a tough blow for the Cavaliers, who had already suffered significant losses in the series.
With a 41-point lead and without Mitchell, the second half became a formality for the Pacers, who reached a maximum lead of +44 in the third quarter.
Rick Carlisle, Pacers coach, took the opportunity to give minutes to players like James Johnson, who contributed to the victory with a basket.
The Cavaliers tried to reduce the difference in the score, ending the third quarter with a 109-77 and the game with a 129-109.
