Cavaliers in Dire Straits After Game 2 Collapse Against Pacers
The Cleveland Cavaliers find themselves in a precarious position, staring down an 0-2 series deficit after a stunning 120-119 loss to the Indiana Pacers in Game 2 of their second-round playoff matchup. The Pacers, showcasing remarkable resilience, orchestrated a late-game comeback, scoring the final eight points within the last 50 seconds to steal the victory on Cleveland’s home court.
This loss compounds the Cavaliers’ woes, as they now head to Indianapolis facing a daunting challenge. Adding to their difficulties is a significant injury cloud hanging over the team. All-Stars Evan Mobley and Darius Garland, along with key bench contributor De’Andre Hunter, were all sidelined for Game 2, and their availability for Game 3 remains uncertain. Their absence has undeniably impacted the team’s depth and overall performance, placing even more pressure on Donovan Mitchell to carry the offensive load.
The narrative surrounding the game underscores the improbability of the Pacers’ victory. Prior to Tuesday night, teams holding a seven-point lead in the final 48 seconds of regulation or overtime in postseason contests boasted a staggering record of 1,679-2 since 2005 – a near-perfect winning percentage of .999. The Pacers not only added to that incredibly small loss column, making it 1,679-3, but they also now account for two of those three losses, the other coming just one week prior in their Game 5 triumph over the Milwaukee Bucks. This statistic highlights both the Cavaliers’ late-game collapse and the Pacers’ uncanny ability to defy the odds. While a significant element of luck undoubtedly played a role, Indiana’s resilience and clutch execution in crucial moments cannot be overlooked.
One of the key catalysts for the Pacers’ victory was the outstanding performance of forward Aaron Nesmith. The 25-year-old delivered a playoff career-high 23 points, with 15 of those coming in the second half. Nesmith provided a much-needed spark on both ends of the floor, injecting energy and tenacity into the Pacers’ lineup. His five successful three-pointers were crucial in stretching the floor and creating offensive opportunities. However, his impact extended beyond scoring. Nesmith’s putback dunk following a missed free throw by Pascal Siakam and his subsequent drawing of an offensive foul were pivotal plays in Indiana’s game-winning 8-0 run. The dunk ignited the comeback, and the drawn foul resulted in a critical change of possession, swinging the momentum firmly in Indiana’s favor.
Despite the Cavaliers’ loss, Donovan Mitchell put on a masterful performance, carrying the offensive burden for his shorthanded team. He poured in 48 points on 15-of-30 shooting and dished out 9 assists. Particularly impressive was Mitchell’s relentless attacking of the paint, especially considering his ongoing struggles with perimeter shooting. He accounted for half of Cleveland’s 56 points in the paint, showcasing his ability to penetrate the Pacers’ defense and create scoring opportunities. Furthermore, when he didn’t finish at the rim, Mitchell consistently drew fouls, converting 17-of-21 free throws.
However, Mitchell’s individual brilliance wasn’t enough to secure the win. Despite his offensive prowess, a troubling pattern continues to haunt his playoff career. While he has led his teams to the postseason in each of his eight NBA seasons and reached the conference semifinals four times, he has never advanced beyond that stage. Now, with the Cavaliers facing an 0-2 deficit, heading to Indiana, and battling significant injury woes, Mitchell finds himself in danger of once again seeing his postseason run cut short. The pressure is mounting on him to elevate his game even further and find a way to overcome the obstacles facing his team.
One area where the Pacers can improve, despite their series lead, is their turnover rate. They finished Tuesday’s game with 18 turnovers, one more than they committed in Game 1. For a team that ranked second in the NBA in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.22) during the regular season, these turnovers represent a significant area of concern. The first quarter was particularly problematic, with Indiana committing nine turnovers, contributing to their poor shooting performance of 31.3% from the field and 12.5% from three-point range, ultimately leading to a 17-point deficit at the end of the period. If the Cavaliers are to mount a comeback in the series, exploiting the Pacers’ turnover issues would be a crucial strategy.
On the Cavaliers’ side, Max Strus’s performance was a mixed bag. While he scored nine points after halftime, he struggled from beyond the arc, going just 1-of-5 from three-point range in the second half. However, his most glaring mistake came in the form of a careless inbound pass with 24.7 seconds remaining and the Cavaliers leading by three. Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard easily intercepted the pass, setting the stage for Indiana’s dramatic game-winning sequence. This crucial turnover proved costly and highlighted the importance of maintaining composure and making smart decisions in the closing moments of playoff games.
