In a stunning finish, Tyrese Haliburton hit a game-winning 3-pointer after rebounding his own missed free throw, sealing a miraculous 120-119 victory for the Indiana Pacers against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals at Rocket Arena. This dramatic win gives the Pacers a commanding 2-0 series lead as they head into Game 3, scheduled for Friday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Tyrese Haliburton was instrumental in the Pacers' victory, contributing 19 points on 7-of-11 shooting, along with nine rebounds and four assists. His clutch performance came alongside strong showings from Aaron Nesmith and Myles Turner, who each scored 23 points. On the opposing side, Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with an impressive 48 points, supported by Max Strus with 23 points and Jarrett Allen contributing 22 points.
The Pacers found themselves in a challenging position, trailing by as many as 20 points during the third quarter and 14 points in the fourth. With only 58 seconds left in the game and down by seven, the Pacers displayed remarkable resilience reminiscent of their previous miraculous comeback against the Bucks in Game 5. After Pascal Siakam was fouled and missed both free throws, Aaron Nesmith executed a crucial tip dunk to narrow the deficit to five points. Nesmith then forced an offensive foul against Donovan Mitchell, allowing the Pacers to regain possession.
Siakam managed to drive in for a layup, reducing the gap to just three points. In a pivotal moment, Andrew Nembhard made a critical steal on the inbound pass, mirroring his impactful plays from the Milwaukee game. Haliburton then drew a foul but missed his second free throw. However, displaying tenacity, he retrieved his own rebound, stepped back, and sank a 3-pointer to clinch the game for the Pacers.
Despite their incredible finish, the Pacers endured a dismal first quarter. Coach Rick Carlisle emphasized before the game that facing the Cavs, who were missing key players like injured big man Evan Mobley and All-Star guard Darius Garland, would still pose significant challenges. This prediction held true as the Pacers struggled offensively. After a brief 7-2 lead, the team fell flat, making only two of their last 13 field goals in the first quarter and getting outscored 30-8. By the end of the first quarter, the Pacers were shooting just 5-of-16 from the floor and 1-of-8 from beyond the arc, while the Cavaliers shot 10-of-22, concluding the quarter with a 32-15 advantage.
One bright spot for the Pacers was Bennedict Mathurin, who made his mark after a lackluster first half. Having missed last year's postseason due to injury, Mathurin was eager to prove himself. Although he struggled initially, scoring only three points in the first half, he turned the tide in the second half. Mathurin showcased his scoring prowess by netting 19 points in just 20 minutes, shooting 6 of 10 from the field, including a key 3-pointer and an electrifying tip-dunk.
With the Pacers leading the series 2-0, all eyes are on Game 3 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. As they look to continue their momentum, fans and analysts alike will be eager to see if Haliburton, Nesmith, Turner, and Mathurin can maintain their high level of performance and secure another victory against the Cavaliers.
