The Cleveland Cavaliers head to Indiana underneath strain after letting a giant lead slip in Sport 2 of the Japanese Convention semifinals. They now path the Indiana Pacers 0-2 within the best-of-seven sequence.
This can be a shocking place for the Cavaliers, who had excessive hopes after profitable 64 video games within the common season and sweeping the Miami Warmth within the first spherical. Now, they’re combating to maintain their playoff hopes alive.
Sport 3 Particulars – Methods to Watch
Date: Friday, 9 Could
Time: 7:30 p.m. EST
Venue: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis
TV: ESPN
Radio: 100.7 WMMS
Betting odds: Cavaliers favoured by 2.5 factors
Over/underneath: 229.5 complete factors
Spherical 2 Schedule
Sport 1: Sunday, 4 Could – Cavs misplaced 121-112 (at Rocket Area)
Sport 2: Tuesday, 6 Could – Cavs misplaced 120-119 (at Rocket Area)
Sport 3: Friday, 9 Could – 7:30 p.m. in Indiana
Sport 4: Sunday, 11 Could – 8 p.m. in Indiana
Sport 5 (if wanted): Tuesday, 13 Could – TBD in Cleveland
Sport 6 (if wanted): Thursday, 15 Could – TBD in Indiana
Sport 7 (if wanted): Sunday, 18 Could – TBD in Cleveland
Sport 3 Preview
Cleveland have been shocked in Sport 2 when Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton scored a clutch 3-pointer with simply 1.1 seconds left. The Pacers closed the sport by scoring the ultimate eight factors in underneath 48 seconds to win 120-119.
The Cavs had led by 20 factors and have been in management for many of the evening. However a poor fourth quarter, the place they have been outscored 36-21, allowed the sport — and presumably the sequence — to slide away.
Donovan Mitchell was sensible, scoring 48 factors and including 9 assists, however seemed drained within the remaining minutes.
Cleveland have been with out three key gamers:
Mobley and Hunter have been injured in Sport 1. Garland has now missed 4 straight playoff video games.
With the Cavs trailing 0-2, they have to bounce again shortly in Sport 3. Though they’ve had some additional relaxation, historical past isn’t on their facet — solely 7.3% of NBA groups down 0-2 have come again to win a sequence. In Convention Semifinals, that quantity is simply 6.8%.
To keep away from falling 0-3 behind, the Cavs should get extra help for Mitchell, tighten their defence, and hopefully welcome again a few of their injured gamers.
Cleveland entered the playoffs as the highest seed within the East. One other defeat on Friday would go away them on the sting of elimination — and spark critical questions on what has gone mistaken.
