Cavs triumph over Pacers, thanks to Mitchell's magic, while Nuggets silence Thunder in overtime extinguishment
The 2025 Eastern Conference semis see the Cleveland Cavaliers, atop the East with 64 regular-season victories, battling against the plucky Pacers. After squandering their home advantage in the opening two games, the pressure was on Cleveland to avoid an unprecedented 0-3 deficit. And boy, did they rise to the occasion!
Donovan Mitchell, the MVP of Game 3, lit up the court with a phenomenal 43-point performance. Not only did he sink several three-pointers, but he also dished out assists, stole the ball, and led the charge when it mattered most. Breaking free from injury, he rekindled the team spirit that had disappointed fans in Game 2.
Darius Garland, the All-Star guard, offered valuable support with 10 points despite carrying four fouls. Jarrett Allen and Dean Wade contributed secondary scoring and rebounding to ensure Cleveland secured the loose balls that kept the Pacers at bay.
Meanwhile, Benedict Mathurin stepped up for Indiana with 22 points off the bench. The Pacers' resilience was clear, but their efforts were not enough to surpass the Cavaliers' relentless offense and defensive adjustments. Despite game-2 hero Tyrese Haliburton being limited to only four points, Jalen Williams led the Thunder with an impressive 32 points.
The Cavs asserted control from the outset with an impressive 11-0 run. Though the Pacers rallied to tie the game, Cleveland responded with grit and determination, ultimately taking a 66-45 lead into halftime. Indiana kept the game close, coming within 11 points in the final quarter, but Mitchell and Strus combined for clutch jump shots, sealing the Cavaliers' 116-107 victory.
With Game 4 set for Indiana on Sunday, Cleveland will be hoping to square the series. Mitchell summed it up best when he said, "We can't let it happen again. We need to be the aggressors. And it wasn't just me. We got stops, made plays."
Meanwhile, in Denver, the home team dominated the Thunder in overtime, giving them a 2-1 series lead. Nikola Jokic scored 20 points and grabbed 16 rebounds, despite a subpar shooting performance. This tight game featured 15 lead changes and 6 in the final quarter, but the Nuggets ultimately pulled through, thanks to the late-game heroics of Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr.
The Nuggets aim to extend their advantage in the series' next game, while the Thunder will try to rebound and claw their way back into contention. With both series featuring tightly contested battles, the 2025 NBA playoffs have already proved to be a thrilling spectacle.
- In the 2025 Eastern Conference semis, the Cavaliers, who were atop the East, showcased their resilience against the Pacers after facing an initial 0-3 deficit.
- Evan Mobley, a key player for the Cavaliers, played a pivotal role in Game 3 against the Pacers, racking up points and dishing out assists.
- Despite suffering from injuries earlier, Donovan Mitchell, another star player for Cleveland, led his team to victory with a fact-filling 43-point performance in Game 3.
- With the Cavs now leading the series, India-based basketball enthusiasts can look forward to the concluding games of this nail-biting NBA encounter between the Cavaliers and Pacers.
