The Pacers got here out firing at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, surging to a 41-point halftime lead, tying an NBA playoff report. Balanced scoring as soon as once more outlined their method, with Pascal Siakam, Myles Turner and Obi Toppin every scoring 20 factors or extra.
Indiana shot 52.7 p.c from the sector and almost 43 p.c from past the arc whereas forcing 22 turnovers in a completely dominant efficiency.
Cleveland, in contrast, appeared disjointed and overwhelmed, struggling a serious blow when Donovan Mitchell exited at halftime with a left ankle damage. The All-Star guard, already managing a calf difficulty, is scheduled to endure an MRI on Monday, in line with head coach Kenny Atkinson.
In Mitchell’s absence, Darius Garland led the Cavaliers with 21 factors, however the staff unraveled within the second quarter and by no means regained its footing.
Indiana capitalized on each mistake, dominating the paint and controlling the tempo. Whereas Tyrese Haliburton didn’t gentle up the scoreboard, his playmaking set the tone, and the Pacers’ bench outperformed Cleveland’s throughout the board.
“We’ve not finished something but,” Carlisle stated postgame, through Eva Geitheim of Sports activities Illustrated. “We had been a reasonably vital underdog in each sport we have performed in that collection and that may proceed till the tip. We’re going to maintain approaching this like we’ve got every thing to show.”
With the collection shifting again to Cleveland for Sport 5 on Tuesday, the Pacers maintain all of the momentum. Garland remained hopeful postgame—pointing to previous playoff comebacks—however the Cavaliers face a frightening problem, particularly if Mitchell is unavailable.
For Indiana, the story goes past one win. It’s a testomony to the tradition Carlisle has cultivated, the rise of a balanced and assured roster, and the rising perception that the Pacers’ second may lastly be right here.
