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Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals didn't go exactly how Cleveland Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell planned. Without three of their best players — Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and De'Andre Hunter — the Cavs managed to control much of the game, and hold a 117-110 lead with under a minute remaining in the game.
And then the collapse took place.
Over the final 57 seconds of the game, the Cavs allowed three offensive rebounds, committed an offensive foul, and turned the ball over on an inbounds, allowing the Indiana Pacers back into the game.
It was a dagger 3-pointer from Tyrese Haliburton with 1.1 seconds left on the clock that put Indiana up 120-119, sending Cleveland away on their home court with an 0-2 deficit in the series.
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton celebrates after winning Game 2 against the Cleveland Cavaliers.© David Richard-Imagn Images
It's not a position that Cleveland thought they would be in a few days ago. As the favorite to win the series and advance to the conference finals, the Cavs have now dropped two games on their home court, and go on the road to Indiana for the next two.
Mitchell's message going forward was simple after the game.
"We've gotta go get two in Indy. Simple as that," Mitchell said.
It won't be easy, seeing as the Pacers were very good at home this year, with a 30-12 record at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
You also have to consider that health will be something to watch for Cleveland. Garland has been consistently dealing with his toe injury, but Mobley and Hunter are major pieces who will need to return for the Cavs to have a fighting chance.
Of course, Cleveland showed on Tuesday that they can get out to a lead without those players. They just need to prove that they can close out games as well.
Continue reading...
And then the collapse took place.
Over the final 57 seconds of the game, the Cavs allowed three offensive rebounds, committed an offensive foul, and turned the ball over on an inbounds, allowing the Indiana Pacers back into the game.
It was a dagger 3-pointer from Tyrese Haliburton with 1.1 seconds left on the clock that put Indiana up 120-119, sending Cleveland away on their home court with an 0-2 deficit in the series.
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Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton celebrates after winning Game 2 against the Cleveland Cavaliers.© David Richard-Imagn Images
It's not a position that Cleveland thought they would be in a few days ago. As the favorite to win the series and advance to the conference finals, the Cavs have now dropped two games on their home court, and go on the road to Indiana for the next two.
Mitchell's message going forward was simple after the game.
"We've gotta go get two in Indy. Simple as that," Mitchell said.
It won't be easy, seeing as the Pacers were very good at home this year, with a 30-12 record at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
You also have to consider that health will be something to watch for Cleveland. Garland has been consistently dealing with his toe injury, but Mobley and Hunter are major pieces who will need to return for the Cavs to have a fighting chance.
Of course, Cleveland showed on Tuesday that they can get out to a lead without those players. They just need to prove that they can close out games as well.
Continue reading...
