Cleveland – Cleveland horsemen responded to the bell for 47 minutes despite their digital disadvantage. They played a phenomenal defense. Controlled glass. Won the battle inside. But then has tested everything in the 48th minute.
I cannot believe what just happened. Even by writing these events now, it seems improbable. The result must be different then it is. It’s like a car accident that you see from a distance mile, but you can’t do anything to avoid it.
Max Strus struck a three to give the Cavs an advance of 117-110 with 1:06 in the fourth. It should have been enough to close the game, but that was not the case.
Tyrers Haliburton made it a quick. Donovan Mitchell was at fault and carried out the two free throws.
However, a seven -point match with 58 seconds to play. It is supposed to be an easy victory.
Aaron Nesmith had a putback dunk on two miscaps of Pascal Siakam.
Five -point match with 48 seconds to do. Everything is fine.
Mitchell was called to an offensive fault on the possession that followed. Siakim responded with a quick lay-up.
Three -point game. Twenty-eight seconds on the left. Not ideal, but it could be worse.
Head coach Kenny Atkinson called a dead time because they could not get the ball forward.
The dead time has done nothing. Max Strus launched a wandering pass intended for Ty Jerome.
Haliburton entered inside, was at fault and went to the line.
He made the first. Two -point game. Twelve seconds on the left.
Haliburton missed the second, but caught his own rebound. Then he did the only thing that the Cavs could not allow us to happen: he hit a three -handed dagger on Jérôme.
A second on the left. No waiting times. Down. Ball game.
120-119. The Pacers win.
What did I witness? How did we get here?
Just like that, the magic season of the 64 Cavs victories is suspended. They have broken down 2-0, have multiple injuries and go to Indianapolis.
Mitchell almost did enough for his team to be victory, but 48 points, nine assists and four interceptions could not do so. This did not help that the CAVs are only 11-39 out of three. Their second consecutive match less than 30% remotely.
Conversely, Indiana continues to hit their external blows. They went 11-28 out of three (39.3%). Including the only one that counted.
Haliburton provided 19 points in addition to his match winner. Myles Turner finished with 23 points and eight rebounds. Aaron Nesmith had 23 points out of 5-8 out of three.
It was heartbreaking.
There is nothing like the amazed silence of a local crowd which was so sure that they were going to see their team win.
Even now, while I write these 20 minutes after the entrance to Haliburton shooting, there are people always seated in their seats, in disbelief for what happened.
The season is not over yet. Indiana has yet to win two additional games. But Wow, he certainly does not feel like you need two additional victories at this stage.
How can the Cavs pick up the parts after that?
