Pacers script series-clinching win, advance to East finals over Cavs 114-105

Pacers achieved a significant milestone by clinching their playoff series against the Cleveland Cavaliers with a 114-105 victory in Game 5, thus advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals. This win marked the culmination of a dominant series performance, as the Pacers secured a decisive 4-1 victory overall . Tyrese Haliburton was instrumental in this triumph, leading his team with an impressive 31 points, alongside contributing eight assists and six rebounds. His ability to perform under pressure exemplified his growth as a key player for the Pacers.

Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 5 on Tuesday night was similar to the first two games of the series: The Cavs jumped out to a big first-half lead, but Indiana's quick pace eventually took a toll.

Tyrese Haliburton scored 31 points and Pascal Siakam added 21 as the Pacers reached the conference finals in consecutive years for the first time since 2013 and 2014.

Donovan Mitchell, who missed the second half of Sunday's Game 4 due to a sprained left ankle, led Cleveland with 35 points. Evan Mobley added 24 points and 11 rebounds.

Haliburton dropped 17 points in the first half and hit five 3-pointers, all of which came in the second quarter. Mitchell had 16 points but shot 3 of 11 from the field and 0 of 5 from behind the arc.

Rick Carlisle called a timeout just a minute in after they gave up two quick buckets — but the Pacers finally took the lead after a Pascal Siakam 3-pointer just a few minutes later. That capped a mini 11-0 run that spanned less than two full minutes.

Indiana then shot 14 of 22 from the field in the third quarter, when it had a 17-2 run, to go up 85-76 going into the final 12 minutes.

The Cavs shot 38.9% for the game and were a woeful 9 of 35 on 3-pointers. Mitchell and Darius Garland were a combined 12 of 41, including 4 of 19 from beyond the arc.

In contrast, the Cavaliers struggled to find consistent support for their star player Donovan Mitchell, who scored an impressive 35 points but could not carry his team alone . The lack of depth and contribution from other players ultimately hindered Cleveland's efforts in this critical game. The balanced scoring attack displayed by Indiana showcased their cohesive teamwork and strategic execution throughout the series.

This victory not only reflects the Pacers' resilience but also underscores their capacity to capitalize on opportunities in high-stakes situations. As they advance to face tougher competition in the Eastern Conference Finals, this win will serve as both a confidence booster and testament to their potential for success moving forward .

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Sarah H

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