Pacers Take 3-1 Lead in NBA Playoff Series
The Indiana Pacers dominated the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday, taking a commanding 3-1 lead in their best-of-seven conference semi-final series. The win came as Oklahoma City edged Denver to level their series at two games apiece.
Game Highlights
- Pascal Siakam led seven Pacers players in double figures with 21 points.
- The Pacers established a strong performance early, leading 80-39 at halftime.
- Donovan Mitchell struggled, scoring just 12 points in the first half and testing his ankle before the second half. He is scheduled for an MRI scan to determine his availability for Game Five.
Player Performances
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E.J. Liddell (Ohio State product) had a standout game with:
- Career-highs: 4 blocks and 6 rebounds
- Perfect shooting: 5-for-5 from the field
Liddell commented, "This is huge momentum swing going into Game Four now."
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Darius Garland led the Cavaliers with 21 points but faced challenges due to poor defense, which allowed 35 points from the Pacers off 22 turnovers.
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Bennedict Mathurin was ejected after a foul on DeAndre Hunter late in the first quarter.
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Tyrese Haliburton contributed with 10 assists and 11 points, while O.Toppin added 20 points, helping the Pacers build a commanding lead.
Oklahoma City vs. Denver
In another playoff matchup, Oklahoma City defeated the Denver Nuggets 92-87 despite both teams struggling with shooting. Key performances included:
- Jamal Murray and Christian Braun each scored 16 points.
- Nikola Jokic recorded 27 points and 13 rebounds, achieving his third-straight double-double of the playoffs, despite shooting only 30% overall.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 19 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists, but struggled from three-point range, going 1-for-6.
Closing Remarks
- Luguentz Dort made significant contributions with 14 points and 8 assists, including a go-ahead shot in the fourth quarter.
- The win gives Oklahoma City momentum as they head back home for Game Five against Denver next week.
Gilgeous-Alexander stated, "We’re not done yet," emphasizing the team’s determination moving forward.
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