The Cleveland Cavaliers’ backs are against the wall down 2-0 heading into a pivotal game three matchup vs. the Indiana Pacers.
In the final 48 seconds of game two, the Cavs remarkably blew a seven-point lead. To the Pacers’ credit, they took full advantage. Tyrese Haliburton’s rebound from his missed free throw before dribbling behind the arc and unleashing a buzzer-beating three-pointer winner was as dramatic as it was incredible. The NBA playoffs are where legacies are built, and Haliburton is making a statement so far. Haliburton’s heroics are very much a thing.
The Cavs are in big trouble, suffering terrible luck with injuries and shooting woes at the worst possible time. Can they rebound to make this a series? Can the Pacers close out the series at home due to their scintillating form? Here’s all you need to know for tonight.
Game 3: Cavaliers vs. Pacers Preview And More
How To Watch:
Where: Gainbridge Fieldhouse Arena. Indianapolis, IN.
When: Friday, May 9th, 7.30 pm ET.
TV: ESPN
Injury Report
It’s a fairly full injury report for the Cavs, and some of these names will be game-time decisions. Darius Garland is still questionable, with a sprained toe that held him out of the last game. Evan Mobley is also questionable, with a sprained ankle. As is De’Andre Hunter, with a sprained thumb injury. All three missed game two.
However, Kenny Atkinson provided some optimism as he stated all three participated in a walk-through yesterday, as we await further updates. Donovan Mitchell is not listed on the injury report.
No fresh concerns for the Pacers, Isaiah Jackson is the only one listed as he’s out for the season.
Preview
The Cavs will bid to be one of only a handful of teams in NBA history to overturn a 2-0 deficit after losing their first two games at home. If any team can do it, a team that won 64 regular-season games, plus a robust 30-11 road record, is more than capable, with health being a key caveat. They badly need the trio that missed the last game to be healthy enough to influence this series.
They also need to play a ton better. Particularly, with their perimeter shooting, they shot only 11/39, 28% from three in game two.
As the best offensive team in the NBA during the regular season in terms of points, and second best in overall shooting and from behind the arc, they should start to pick it up.
Some will point to bad luck in terms of officiating, the NBA’s two-minute report found that there was a lane violation in Haliburton’s game-deciding rebound from his free throw, which would negate the game winner. As unfortunate as that was, frankly, the Cavs had a 20-point lead and a seven-point advantage in the final minute, they should find a way to close these out without worrying about officials. Plus, it’s hard to take away from Haliburton’s heroics.
As for the Pacers, they are in incredible form, of late. Particularly Haliburton, whose heroics in the playoffs have Pacers fans elated with their hero.
Let’s not forget the heroics he produced to end the Milwaukee Bucks’ season early.
His co-stars have all stepped up in this series; Aaron Nembhard dropped 13 dimes in game two, after his 23 points in the opener. While Aaron Nesmith and Myles Turner each dropped 23 points in game two. Benedict Mathurin erupted for 19 points in just 20 minutes off the bench, also in the last game. It’s been a true team effort. They’ve been in scintillating form from the jump in this postseason.
Prediction For Game 3:
It’s dependent on health for the Cavs, Mitchell scored 48 points, but all his co-stars were hurt, culminating in a loss. Garland is the key, TY Jerome went missing going 1-14 from the field in game two, if Garland can come back and help Mitchell in the backcourt, they’ll stand a better chance of pulling a game back. It won’t be easy, the Pacers are an excellent home team.
It will be loud, it will be passionate in the Pacers arena, which is traditionally a very hard prospect for teams on the road, and it will be a high-tempo game. Give me a very tight Cavaliers win on the road. Reason being, they shot 28% from three, and they still had a 20-point lead in game two. They should shoot better this time and win game three in an exciting game.