The Indiana Pacers are leaving Cleveland with a commanding 2â0 lead in their first-round playoff series, and the talk of the town is Tyrese Haliburtonâs clutch performance and the teamâs undeniable resilience. In a game filled with back-and-forth moments, key injuries, and a raucous crowd, the Pacers stood tall when it mattered most, leaving the Cavaliers stunned and wondering what went wrong.
After stealing Game 1 on the road, the Pacers showed no signs of slowing down. With Cleveland missing key players like Evan Mobley and Darius Garland, Indiana took full advantage. Tyrese Haliburton, the young star whoâs been the engine behind this teamâs recent surge, showcased his full arsenal. Haliburton finished with 28 points, 10 assists, and 5 rebounds, but it wasnât just his scoring that made the difference. His ability to control the pace and find open teammates in critical moments was the game-changer. Haliburton was the calm in the storm, as the Cavaliers tried to mount a comeback in the second half. Whether it was knocking down a big 3-pointer or orchestrating a seamless pick-and-roll to find a cutting teammate, Hali was in complete control.
The Pacers’ success wasnât just about one player, though. Bennedict Mathurin, who had a rough start to the series, found his rhythm in Game 2 and contributed 22 points. His aggressive drives to the basket, coupled with a few key jump shots, helped keep the Cavaliersâ defense on its heels. Myles Turner, as always, was a force on the defensive end, contributing multiple blocks and altering shots in the paint. Turnerâs presence in the middle allowed Indiana to switch on defense, neutralizing Clevelandâs scorers despite the absence of their defensive anchor, Mobley.
On the other side, the Cavaliers just couldnât find their footing. Despite a valiant effort from Donovan Mitchell, who put up 31 points, the team lacked the cohesion thatâs been their trademark. With Garland sidelined, Mitchell had to do more, and although he did score efficiently, it wasnât enough to carry Cleveland past the balanced attack of the Pacers. The absence of Mobley in the paint also left Cleveland vulnerable to second-chance points and rim protection, as Indianaâs bigs took full advantage of the mismatch.
Cleveland’s bench also struggled to make an impact. Players who have stepped up during the regular season couldnât get into a rhythm, and the pressure to perform seemed to get to them. Caris LeVert, in particular, was unable to shake off the defensive schemes thrown at him, finishing with a quiet 9 points on poor shooting.
As the final buzzer sounded, the Pacers had a 106â99 win under their belt, leaving Clevelandâs hopes of a series comeback hanging by a thread. The Cavaliers now face the daunting task of winning on the road and reclaiming momentum â a challenge thatâs even more complicated without their full roster.
For the Pacers, this win is huge. Not only are they up 2â0, but theyâve shown they can thrive in a hostile environment. Haliburton, Mathurin, Turner, and the rest of the squad have solidified themselves as a serious playoff contender, and with a 2â0 lead, theyâre in a perfect position to take control of the series.
Cleveland will have to dig deep to adjust and get healthy, but for now, all eyes are on the Pacers as they look to close out the Cavaliers and advance to the next round. Can the Cavs bounce back? Or will Tyrese and the Pacers continue their march to an upset?
