Cavs triumph over Pacers due to Mitchell's enchantment, whilst Nuggets silence Thunder in overtime extended play.
Cleveland, Underdogs in a Do-or-Die Scenario
The Eastern Conference's top dogs, Cleveland, who bagged an impressive 64 regular-season wins, found themselves in a tight spot after losing the first two home games – a daunting task indeed, considering no NBA team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit to win a series. Game 3, therefore, was a make-or-break moment for the Cavaliers.
Donovan Mitchell, whose impressive 48-point show in Game 2 couldn't prevent a thrilling Pacers comeback, delivered once again, notching up nine rebounds, five assists, and a steal in another powerful performance.
The Cavaliers' roster received a significant boost with the return of injury-stricken All-Star guard Darius Garland and Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley, as well as De'Andre Hunter. The rejuvenated team clawed their way back into the series, leading 2-1 in the best-of-seven conference semi-final.
Garland, nursing a sprained toe that kept him out of the last four games, scored 10 points, while Mobley, who had an ankle sprain, racked up an impressive 18 points, 13 rebounds, three steals, and three blocked shots. In addition, they managed to keep game-two hero Tyrese Haliburton to just four points.
Bennedict Mathurin led Indiana's scoring efforts with 23 points off the bench. Despite the Cavaliers' commendable performance, they failed to replicate the magic that saw them triumph in the final minute of Game 3, losing the first quarter's lead and eventually winning by a narrow margin.
The Cavaliers started off strong with an impressive 11-0 run and never trailed until the end of the first quarter. The Pacers tied things up at 32-32 heading into the second quarter, but Cleveland regained the upper hand and held a commanding 66-45 lead at half-time.
Indiana attempted a comeback, reducing a 24-point deficit to 11, but Mitchell's accurate three-pointer and an assist to Max Strus sealed the deal for the Cavaliers, who aim to level the series in Game 4, to be held in Indiana on Sunday.
"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. 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." Mitchell shared his post-match thoughts.
Denver Nuggets Shine in Overtime Thriller
In the Western Conference, Denver's Jamal Murray scored 27 points while Aaron Gordon added 22, including a crucial three-pointer that sent the game into overtime. The Nuggets capitalized on their opportunity, dominating overtime to claim a 113-104 victory over the Thunder, securing a 2-1 series advantage.
The match was tightly contested, featuring 15 lead changes, including six in the fourth quarter. Denver's MVP, Nikola Jokic, and Oklahoma City's star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander both struggled in the game, scoring 20 points and 18 points respectively, with less than ideal shooting percentages.
Jalen Williams led the Thunder's scoring efforts with a commendable 32 points, and Chet Holmgren contributed 18 points and 16 rebounds. However, Denver's sheer determination helped them turn the tables and clinch the win, setting their sights on Game 4, to be held in Denver on Sunday.
"It was everybody. They're a great team. They tested us all night, and we were able to stick with it and get the win. So it was a good team win." – Murray shared his sentiments after the game. "It's a step in the right direction. We know we can be better than this."
[1]- https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1591786580089964544[2]- https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10112319-the-cavs-lost-game-2-on-tuesday-but-can-they-bounce-back-in-the-eastern-conference-semifinals-vs-the-pacers
In the context of international sports, it's worth noting that India's interest in basketball has grown significantly, with the NBA recently announcing the launch of its NBA Academy in Mumbai.
Given the Cavaliers' resurgence, an ambitious Indian basketball fan might fantasize about witnessing a future encounter between Cleveland's stars and India's budding NBA talents, perhaps even in a nail-biting NBA final.
