What started as a dream night for the Cleveland Cavaliers is quickly turning into a potential nightmare. After racing out to a 19-point lead in the first half, the Cavs looked poised to force a Game 7 or even steal momentum back in the series. But basketball is a game of runs — and the Indiana Pacers are proving just how dangerous they can be when they catch fire.
Cleveland came out firing on all cylinders. Darius Garland was aggressive from the tip, knocking down jumpers and getting into the paint at will. Donovan Mitchell was electric, scoring from all three levels and hyping up the home crowd with every bucket. The Cavs’ defense clamped down early, forcing turnovers and turning them into fast-break points. By midway through the second quarter, they had built a 56–37 lead, and fans at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse were roaring.
But then — everything changed.
The Pacers responded with poise and precision. Tyrese Haliburton started orchestrating the offense with surgical execution. He picked apart Cleveland’s defense, finding open shooters like Buddy Hield and Pascal Siakam, who both knocked down big threes. Indiana ramped up their tempo, pushing the pace off every rebound, and the Cavaliers couldn’t keep up.
By the end of the third quarter, the Cavs’ once-commanding lead had evaporated to just five points. The momentum had clearly shifted. The Pacers were flying around defensively, clogging passing lanes, contesting every shot, and making the Cavaliers uncomfortable. On the offensive end, they were spreading the floor and getting whatever they wanted — from transition layups to open corner threes.
What’s most concerning for Cleveland is how rattled they looked once Indiana punched back. The offense became stagnant. Possessions started ending in forced isolation plays or late shot-clock heaves. Mitchell, who had 18 in the first half, looked exhausted trying to carry the load. Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen struggled to keep up with Indiana’s speed, and second-chance opportunities disappeared.
Meanwhile, the Pacers’ bench brought energy and efficiency. T.J. McConnell made his presence felt with hustle plays, and Obi Toppin sparked the comeback with key rebounds and timely scoring. Indiana’s depth is turning into a major X-factor as the game enters the final stretch.
With just under six minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Pacers have cut the lead to one, and the building is tense. Indiana has all the momentum, and Cleveland fans are watching nervously as their team teeters on the edge of elimination.
This game has become a battle of resilience. The Cavs need to regroup, rediscover their rhythm, and get key stops. But if the Pacers continue to surge, they could walk off the court not just with a win — but with the series in hand.
From a 19-point cushion to a one-possession game, this one’s going down to the wire. And right now, Indiana looks ready to finish the job.
