NBA Playoffs: Pacers eliminate top-seed Cavs; Thunder edge Nuggets for series lead

Tuesday night in the NBA Playoffs saw significant developments in two Conference Semifinal series. In the Eastern Conference, the Indiana Pacers delivered a major upset, eliminating the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers on their home floor with a commanding 114-105 victory in Game 5, thus winning the series 4-1 and advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals. Meanwhile, in the Western Conference, the Oklahoma City Thunder secured a vital 112-105 win over the Denver Nuggets in a tightly contested Game 5, taking a crucial 3-2 series lead.

(1) Cleveland Cavaliers-Indiana Pacers (4): 105-114

In Cleveland, the Indiana Pacers orchestrated a comeback after trailing by 19 points in the first half. Key scoring runs, including a 16-4 burst in the second quarter fueled by Tyrese Haliburton's three-pointers and a 17-2 onslaught in the third, allowed Indiana to seize control and ultimately eliminate the Cavaliers. Haliburton led the Pacers with a strong performance, tallying 31 points, 6 rebounds, and 8 assists, including hitting five consecutive threes in the second quarter to shift momentum.

Pascal Siakam added 21 points, and Andrew Nembhard contributed 18, with Aaron Nesmith posting a 13-point, 13-rebound double-double. Despite a valiant fourth-quarter push from the Cavaliers, they could not overcome Indiana's lead. Donovan Mitchell delivered a gutsy performance for Cleveland, leading the team with 35 points and 9 rebounds despite being clearly hurting from an ankle sprain.

 

 

 

Bu gönderiyi Instagram'da gör

Indiana Pacers (@pacers)'in paylaştığı bir gönderi

Evan Mobley also had a double-double with 24 points and 11 rebounds. However, the Cavaliers were ultimately outpaced by Indiana and injuries, with key players like Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, De'Andre Hunter, and Sam Merrill all dealing with various ailments throughout the series.

Cleveland's inability to handle Indiana's relentless defensive pressure and all the sprinting on offense, coupled with poor three-point shooting in the elimination game, contributed to their defeat. Mitchell's season ends with a tough effort, and he now has the summer to rest. The Pacers will await the winner of the New York Knicks-Boston Celtics series in the next round.

(3) Oklahoma City Thunder-Denver Nuggets (2): 112-105

In Oklahoma City, the Thunder edged out the Denver Nuggets in a close Game 5 to take a 3-2 series advantage. Despite the Nuggets holding a lead for much of the game, the Thunder rallied in the fourth quarter, tying the game in the final five minutes and outscoring Denver down the stretch. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder with 31 points, 7 assists, and 6 rebounds. Oklahoma City's dynamic duo of Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren, who combined for 29 points, 15 rebounds showed vital contributions with their versatility and chemistry in rising to the physical challenge of the series.

For the Nuggets, despite an all-time level playoff game from Nikola Jokić, the team's lack of depth showed in the fourth quarter, where they ran out of gas, missing shots and losing 50/50 balls to the deeper Thunder squad. The series now returns to Denver for Game 6 on Thursday, with the Thunder holding a crucial lead.