The defining second of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ season arrived in Recreation 4, and the burden of it broke them. What was billed as a pivotal showdown within the Jap Convention Semifinals become a devastating unraveling. The Indiana Pacers pummeled the Cavs 129-109 in Recreation 4, seizing a 3-1 collection lead and leaving Cleveland on the sting of elimination. What’s worse, Cleveland’s finest participant, Donovan Mitchell, exited at halftime with a left ankle damage and by no means returned.
With their season hanging within the steadiness, the Cavs delivered their most lifeless efficiency of the 12 months.
This was greater than only a loss. It was an indictment of preparation, of toughness, of teaching, of composure. Every little thing that had as soon as made Cleveland the highest seed within the East was nowhere to be present in Recreation 4.
The Cavs had been overwhelmed from the beginning. Indiana scored the primary 5 factors and by no means regarded again, steamrolling to a 38-23 lead by the top of the primary quarter. Cleveland made simply 4 discipline objectives within the opening 12 minutes and regarded utterly disoriented in opposition to Indiana’s tempo and ball motion. And because the Pacers saved making use of strain, the Cavs continued to don’t have any reply.
A tense change between Bennedict Mathurin and De’Andre Hunter with 4:32 left within the first quarter, which resulted in Mathurin’s ejection, briefly stirred feelings. However any hopes of a Cleveland surge evaporated instantly. Relatively than utilizing the second as a spark, the Cavs wilted. Indiana responded with much more urgency, as Obi Toppin emerged off the bench to gasoline a blistering second quarter.
By halftime, the Pacers had outscored Cleveland 42-16 within the second quarter, turning a aggressive contest right into a historic blowout. The Cavs trailed 80-39 on the break, matching the most important halftime deficit in NBA playoff historical past.
On the heart of that collapse was the gorgeous absence of Mitchell, who injured his ankle throughout halftime warmups. Hobbled earlier within the collection by a calf pressure, the All-Star guard tried to check the damage earlier than the third quarter however couldn’t proceed. He completed with simply 12 factors on 3-of-11 taking pictures in 20 minutes.
The Cavs misplaced their edge earlier than the second half even started
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Mitchell’s departure sucked no matter combat was not noted of the Cavs.
From that time on, the sport grew to become a gradual march towards inevitability. The Cavs by no means bought nearer than 20 the remainder of the night time. Coach Kenny Atkinson waved the white flag early within the fourth quarter, sending in deep reserves whereas the Pacers’ crowd, loud and unrelenting, started chanting, “We would like Boston,” in anticipation of a possible Jap Convention Finals matchup.
Cleveland’s stars fell silent. Evan Mobley, the NBA’s Defensive Participant of the Yr, contributed simply 10 factors. Jarrett Allen posted two factors and two rebounds in a forgettable 20-minute stint. Darius Garland led the staff with 21 factors, however his manufacturing got here in a recreation lengthy out of attain.
In the meantime, Indiana showcased the form of depth and cohesion that has outlined its run. Pascal Siakam led the best way with 21 factors on 9-of-10 taking pictures, whereas Myles Turner and Toppin every chipped in 20. Tyrese Haliburton orchestrated with surgical precision, and the Pacers’ bench introduced sustained power all night time.
This wasn’t a matter of sizzling taking pictures or one large quarter. It was 4 quarters of bodily, emotional, and psychological dominance. Indiana was sooner, smarter, more durable. They dictated the whole lot.
Cleveland has now misplaced three of the primary 4 video games on this collection, every defeat extra damning than the final. What as soon as regarded like a promising postseason path has become a cautionary story.
With Mitchell’s standing unsure and morale shattered, Recreation 5 again in Cleveland feels much less like a chance and extra like a formality. Except the Cavs summon resilience, perception, urgency, one thing they haven’t proven all collection, their season, one stuffed with hope and ambition, will finish not with a combat, however a whimper.