The Cleveland Cavaliers stormed Gainbridge Fieldhouse and handed the Indiana Pacers a 126-104 defeat in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
The Cavs cut the Pacers’ series lead to 2-1.
Led by Donovan Mitchell’s 43 points on 14-of-29 shooting, Cleveland showcased their most complete playoff performance yet.
Mitchell added five assists and four rebounds while converting five three-pointers and 10 of 14 free throws.
Cleveland broke the game open in the second quarter, outscoring Indiana 34-13 to establish a 66-45 halftime lead. The Cavaliers never trailed in the contest and led by as many as 26 points.
Max Strus added 20 points and a game-high seven assists, hitting four of his eight three-point attempts.
Evan Mobley contributed 18 points and 13 rebounds, while Jarrett Allen manned the paint with 19 points and 12 boards.
The Cavaliers overwhelmed Indiana on the glass, posting a 56-37 rebounding advantage. Cleveland also punished the Pacers with 31 second-chance points and 54 points in the paint.
The Cavs shot 42% from the field and hit 14 of 47 threes. Their bench contributed 18 points, with De’Andre Hunter and Sam Merrill combining for 11.
The Pacers toiled with turnovers and cold shooting spells in the first half, managing only 13 points in the second quarter. Indiana shot 43.8% from the field and committed 13 turnovers, leading to 21 points.
Bennedict Mathurin led Indiana with 23 points off the bench, while Pascal Siakam added 18.
Myles Turner, who may have injured his right ankle towards the end of the contest, finished with 15 points.
Tyrese Haliburton was held to only four points and five assists.
Game 4 takes place on May 11 in Indianapolis.
Contact Multi-Media & Senior Sports Reporter Noral Parham at 317-762-7846. Follow him on X @3Noral. For more Pacers news, click here.
Noral Parham is the multi-media & senior sports reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder, one of the oldest Black publications in the country. Parham has worked with various leagues to provide a diverse perspective in sports, including the Big Ten, Big East, IHSAA, IndyCar, MLB, NHRA, NFL, NBA, WNBA, WWE and the Olympics. Prior to joining the Recorder, Parham served as the community advocate of the MLK Center in Indianapolis and senior copywriter for an e-commerce and marketing firm in Denver.
