Game 2 recap: Cavaliers vs Pacers 120-119

The second game of the Eastern Conference Semifinals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers concluded with a dramatic finish, as the Pacers edged out the Cavaliers 120-119. This victory not only solidified Indiana's lead in the series at 2-0 but also showcased their resilience in overcoming a substantial deficit. The Cavaliers initially dominated, leading by as much as 20 points during the game, largely due to Donovan Mitchell's outstanding performance, where he scored an impressive 48 points .

On the eve of Game 2, Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson, who was recently named the NBA Coach of the Year, revealed All-Star point guard Darius Garland, All-Star forward Evan Mobley and wing De'Andre Hunter were questionable for Game 2. Just before tipoff, all three were ruled out.

Before the game, Atkinson gave a seven-minute impassioned plea for the league to discuss what's acceptable with playoff physicality. Then the Cavs turned up their intensity, but they didn't finish strong. They were outscored 36-21 in the fourth quarter.

Haliburton finished the night with 19 points, nine rebounds, four assists and the game-winning bucket, his second made 3 on two attempts. He did so on a night when Cleveland fans serenaded him with a chant of "overrated," echoing an anonymous NBA player poll that recently deemed Haliburton as the most overrated player in the league.

As the match progressed, however, the Pacers demonstrated remarkable tenacity. Despite being down by seven points with less than a minute remaining, they orchestrated an extraordinary comeback. Key contributions came from Myles Turner and Aaron Nesmith, who each scored 23 points and significantly impacted both ends of the court . Tyrese Haliburton ultimately sealed the game with a clutch three-pointer just before time expired, highlighting his ability to perform under pressure .

This thrilling encounter underscores pivotal themes in playoff basketball: momentum shifts and late-game execution. The Cavaliers' inability to maintain their early lead against a determined Pacers squad raises questions about their depth and adaptability in high-stakes situations. As injuries plagued Cleveland’s roster—missing key players such as Darius Garland and Evan Mobley—their challenges were exacerbated when facing an energized Indiana team that capitalized on every opportunity . Looking forward in this series will require strategic adjustments from Cleveland if they hope to contend effectively with Indiana's newfound confidence.

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Sarah H

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