Playoff Game #5 Pacers vs Cavs

[owl]

https://www.nba.com/pacers/news/preview-pacers-cavaliers-250513

Game Preview


After throttling the Cavaliers on Sunday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the Pacers are now one win away from returning the Eastern Conference Finals for the second straight season. They will attempt to do so on Tuesday night in Cleveland in Game 5 against the top-seeded Cavs.

Indiana bounced back from a 22-point loss in Game 3 in impressive fashion on Sunday, putting together one of the most dominant halves in NBA playoff history. The Pacers jumped out to an 80-39 halftime lead on their way to a 129-109 victory in Game 4.

The offense was humming in the first half, as the Blue & Gold had 25 assists over the first two quarters. And the defense was stellar all night, as Indiana forced 22 turnovers and converted them into 35 points on the other end.

The Pacers figured out a way to beat Cleveland's 3-2 zone that had given them problems in Game 3 by attacking the Cavs in the paint. Indiana outscored Cleveland 58-32 on the interior, with Pascal Siakam scoring 21 points and fellow big men Myles Turner and Obi Toppin adding 20 apiece.

PLAYOFF CENTRAL: Follow Indiana's Postseason Run at Pacers.com/Playoffs >>

But as good as the Pacers were in Game 4, head coach Rick Carlisle was already looking forward after the win.

This game is now history," Carlisle said in his postgame press conference. "We’ve got to stay in the present moment as much as we can, try to maintain an edge. There’s going to be a big haymaker coming on Tuesday. That building is one of the few buildings that rivals Gainbridge (Fieldhouse) for noise and fan enthusiasm and everything else."

The Cavs won 64 games in the regular season and led the Eastern Conference from start to finish. They certainly won't be an easy out in a close-out game on their home floor, no matter what the margin was in Game 4.

One concern for Cleveland entering Game 5 is the health of All-NBA guard Donovan Mitchell. Mitchell erupted for 48 points in Game 2 and 43 in Game 3, but seemed to injure his left ankle while warming up for the second half on Sunday night. He went back to the locker room and did not return. Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson told reporters that Mitchell would undergo an MRI on Monday. Projected Starters


Pacers: G - Tyrese Haliburton, G - Andrew Nembhard, F - Aaron Nesmith, F - Pascal Siakam, C - Myles Turner

Cavs: G - Darius Garland, G - Donovan Mitchell, F - Max Strus, F - Evan Mobley, C - Jarrett Allen Injury Report


Pacers: Isaiah Jackson - out (torn right Achilles tendon)

Cavaliers: Donovan Mitchell - questionable (left ankle sprain) Last Meeting


May 11, 2025: The Pacers erupted for a playoff franchise record 80 points in the first half en route to a 129-109 rout of the Cavs in Game 4 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Indiana outscored Cleveland 42-16 in the second quarter to take a 41-point lead into halftime. At the intermission, the Blue & Gold were shooting 30-for-50 from field and 12-for-18 from 3-point range and had 25 assists to just four turnovers. Conversely, Cleveland was just 8-for-32 from the field and 5-for-19 from 3-point range with just three assists and 14 turnovers.

Pascal Siakam led seven Pacers in double figures with 21 points in as many minutes on 9-of-10 shooting. Obi Toppin added 20 points off the bench, while Myles Turner tallied 20 points and seven rebounds while going 4-for-4 from 3-point range.

Darius Garland led Cleveland with 21 points and six assists in the loss. Noteworthy

• This the 12th time the Pacers have taken a 3-1 lead in a best-of-seven NBA playoff series. They won each of the previous 11 series.
• With a win Tuesday, Indiana would reach the Eastern Conference Finals for the second straight year and the 10th time in franchise history.
• The Pacers are trying to beat the Cavaliers in a playoff series for the first time since 1998. The Cavs won each of the last two series between the Central Division rivals in 2017 and 2018.

Broadcast Information (TV and Radio Listings >>)


TV: TNT - Spero Dedes (play-by-play), Greg Anthony (analyst), Jared Greenberg (sideline reporter)

Radio: 93.5/107.5 The Fan - Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Eddie Gill (analyst), Pat Boylan (studio host)

Tickets

If necessary, the Pacers will host the Cleveland Cavaliers for Game 6 of their second round series on Thursday, May 15 at time TBD. Find Tickets >>

[yoadknux]

It's going to be extremely challenging to beat the top seed in an away elimination game, but if we keep the momentum rolling, we can beat anybody. I just hope they come in to this game with the same urgency as game 4 (and not game 3).

2 AM, my jersey for tonight is Gold Granger, let's go Pacers!

[RWB]

Some talking heads still talking maybe Benn Mayh may be suspended a game for love punch/ twist/ tap. Might I suggest James Johnson brought in to display the proper technique. On a serious note Benn really needs to get his head on straight and return to bad *** 6th man. We're going to need him with any chance to close this out.

[RamBo_Lamar]

I don't think Mathurin is getting a suspension because they would have come down quickly and announced it by now. I hope he comes in with a chip on his shoulder and makes a big impact, but he'd better not do anything stupid to get the refs after him. Ps hopefully bottled some of that game 4 performance and get off to a strong start because the Cavs are going to throw everything they've got at them.

[RWB]

Have some great playoff moments and Mrs. RWB reminded if one this morning. This occurred in the early 90s. Being from the west side of the state we're not real in tune with Indy in general There was a concert pregame in a building on Market featuring Duke Tomatoe. We arrived erly and found a table near the front. For some reason this guy and friend kept walking around getting in people's way. Mrs. RWB says "look at that idiot, drunk before the game even starts". He finally wanders over in our area and stands right in front of her. He is there several minutes blocking her view and still just blowing off. Mrs. RWB is such a sweet lady but has no problem speaking her mind. "Hey you, yes you. A lot of folks arrived early to see this and you're being rude blocking everyone's view. Please sit down or leave".

The man and friend has this really strange surprised look. Didn't say anything and simply walked away. A couple next door ask a question with a big grin. "Do you know who that was by chance". Mrs. RWB "No but they were being so rude just blocking the view". They started laughing "Good for you. I personally would have loved to tell off Steve Goldsmith the mayor of Indianapolis?.

So there you go. Don't mess with Mrs. RWB and her devotion to the Pacers and don't block her view even lf you think you're special

[Peck]

If we are to have any chance at all tonight it is going to take a statement type opening from Pascal Siakam. He doesn't have to have a massive game, but he has to come out early and set the tone and make it so that they are forced to double him and open it up for everyone else.

If we can keep this close in the first half and come out strong in the 3rd I think we can take it.

But you know damn well they will be pumped up to not want to end with all of the negative press they are getting.

Hang on to your hats.

[712Jefferson]

Expecting a loss. Think there's a chance it could avalanche in the second half into a big loss, especially if their shooters catch fire and we are missing threes. IF we can somehow win this one though and close them out on their home court, then it's a sign this particular Pacers team is for real (for real). That would be a helluva thing to do.

[Slick Pinkham]

The line moving to +8.5 probably means that people in Vegas expect Mitchell to play

Seems high to me, having just seen the Pacers destroy a full strength Cleveland 80-39 in a half, while crushing the gimmicky zone D that led to their game 3 win.

[BornIndy]

Please close it out, can't play around. Let's go!!!

[Ozwalt72]

The line moving to +8.5 probably means that people in Vegas expect Mitchell to play

Seems high to me, having just seen the Pacers destroy a full strength Cleveland 80-39 in a half, while crushing the gimmicky zone D that led to their game 3 win.

The line is ridiculous to me. Money's flowing in from people that can't believe the 1 seed is getting upset by the team with the most overrated player in the NBA.

[BornIndy]

Jalen Rose just compared Siakam to Antawn Jamison...Siakam is more Durant-lite

[Ozwalt72]

Jalen Rose just compared Siakam to Antawn Jamison...Siakam is more Durant-lite

How

[BornIndy]

How

Build type, got the handles, mid-range. Siakam is more inside-out but he's more than capable from 3 too

[vnzla81]

Allen and his trash a** is starting, Pacers by 50

[yoadknux]

Very cold start, both from the field and from the line