The Cleveland Cavaliers watched in dismay as their comfortable lead evaporated in the final moments of Game 2, falling 102-99 to the Indiana Pacers at home Tuesday night. Tyrese Haliburton's decisive three-pointer sealed the victory, providing the visiting team a 2-0 series lead as they head back to Indianapolis.
The Cavaliers seemed to have the game well in hand, leading by 12 points midway through the fourth quarter. However, the Pacers rallied with a relentless determination, orchestrated by Haliburton’s clutch performance. The young guard finished the night with 28 points, embodying composure and precision when his team needed them most.
Haliburton’s dagger three with just 5 seconds left on the clock shifted the series landscape dramatically, leaving the Cavs, and their fans, in stunned silence. Despite a valiant effort from Donovan Mitchell, who scored 34 points and provided crucial defensive stops, Cleveland could not muster the resilience to fend off Indiana’s late surge.
“We just lost our defensive focus in those last minutes,” Mitchell said post-game. “We’ll need to regroup and find answers quickly. This series is far from over.”
The Cavaliers' struggles were compounded by turnovers and missed opportunities, losing possession nine times in the final quarter alone. Indiana capitalized on these mistakes, with Myles Turner providing solid defense in the paint and Malcolm Brogdon chipping in with 21 points.
The victory not only gives the Pacers a commanding advantage in the series but also serves as a wake-up call for Cleveland, who now face the daunting task of winning on the road if they are to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Game 3 will be pivotal for both teams, scheduled for Thursday night in Indianapolis, where the Cavaliers will seek redemption and the Pacers will aim to extend their momentum.
