Cleveland Cavaliers suffer shock defeat in Game 1 to Indiana Pacers, despite Donovan Mitchell surpassing Michael Jordan's playoff scoring record.
Game 1 Shockwave: Indiana Pacers Outmuscle Cleveland Cavaliers
In a jaw-dropping turn of events, the Indiana Pacers snatched victory from the jaws of the mighty Cleveland Cavaliers on the road, securing a thrilling 121-112 win in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Sunday night.
The Pacers hammered their way to an impressive 36-point first quarter, racking up an 11-point lead that they maintained for most of the match. By midway through the third quarter, they had extended their advantage to a comfortable 12 points following a three-pointer by Aaron Nesmith.
Despite the Cavaliers' valiant efforts to claw back and even take the lead, they faced a formidable challenge in the inspired form of Tyrese Haliburton. The agile guard spearheaded the Pacers on a game-clinching 20-10 spree, finishing with a stellar 22 points, 13 assists, three rebounds, three blocks, and a steal. His crucial block, in particular, and a timely three-pointer—only his second made on the night—proved pivotal late in the game.
"We're underdogs, but we're controlling what we can," an elated Haliburton stated after the game. "This win gives us a lot of momentum, but let's remember, we're up against the best team in our conference. They don't lose much."
Indiana's starting five, along with a standout performance from Bennedict Mathurin off the bench, all managed to score in double figures. Andrew Nembhard led the team with a game-high 23 points, including an impressive five-of-six from beyond the arc, to go along with six assists.
Cleveland, meanwhile, suffered a shooting slump from three-point range, connecting on just 9-of-38 attempts. Stars like Donovan Mitchell—who set a record of eight consecutive series openers with at least 30 points, breaking Michael Jordan's previous record of seven—and Evan Mobley struggled to find their shot. Nevertheless, Mobley racked up a double-double with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and two steals, while Ty Jerome, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, scored 21 points off the bench.
"We missed a lot of good looks, and when that happens, transition becomes their playground," Mitchell lamented. "This team moves extremely fast, so it's hard to come back when the shots aren't dropping."
Game 2 is scheduled for Tuesday in Cleveland, as the Pacers look to cement their position and pressure the Cavaliers on their home court. The dark horses have shown both resilience and capability, and the series has already promised to be one of the more enticing matchups in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Houston Rockets Crumble Under Warriors' Onslaught
Steph Curry scored 14 points in a game-changing fourth quarter to lift the Golden State Warriors to a commanding 103-89 win over the Houston Rockets in Game 7. However, it was Buddy Hield who stole the limelight, racking up a sensational 33 points (on an absurd 12-of-15 shooting). His scorching marksmanship included a remarkable nine three-pointers, which tied the record for the most threes made in a Game 7.
The win marks another remarkable chapter in the Warriors' resurgence this season, as they become just the seventh No. 7 seed in NBA history to advance to the semifinals. The Golden State franchise will look to build on this success, with Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals set to commence soon.
- Despite the Cavaliers' efforts in basketball, their deficit against the Indiana Pacers in the NBA’s Eastern Conference semifinals seemed insurmountable, as evidenced by Bennedict Mathurin's impressive performance off the bench for the Pacers.
- In the aftermath of the game, Tyrese Haliburton, the agile guard for the Pacers, agreed that they were the underdogs but emphasized their determination to control what they could.
- The Cavaliers' struggles extended beyond the arc, as they failed to connect on many three-point attempts, a factor that seemed to favor the swift movement of the Pacers in sports.
- Meanwhile, in a separate game, Buddy Hield, not to be outdone by Haliburtron, displayed stellar performance for the Golden State Warriors, making a record-tying nine three-pointers in their win against the Houston Rockets, advancing the Warriors to the semifinals in the Western Conference of the NBA.
