Indiana Pacers Steal Homecourt from Cleveland, Take Game 1
CLEVELAND, OH.–The Indiana Pacers opened up the Eastern Conference Semifinals by taking Game 1 over the Cleveland Cavaliers 121-112 at Rocket Arena Sunday night.
Indiana takes a 1-0 lead in this best-of-seven series. The winner advances to the Eastern Conference Finals.
All five Pacer players finished in double figure scoring with Andrew Nembhard leading the way. He had 23 points with 6 assists while making 5 of his 6 three-point shot attempts. Tyrese Haliburton had a double double (22 points and 13 assists) and so did Myles Turner (13 points and 11 assists).
The Pacers led by as many as 12 and shot 54% (19-36) from three-point range while Cleveland made just 9 of 38 three-pointers (24%). Indiana shot 53% from the field and 67% in the first quarter when they raced out to a double-digit lead.
Donovan Mitchell led Cleveland with 33 points and 5 rebounds to go along with 4 assists. He has 8 consecutive Game 1s with 30 points or more. That’s the longest streak in NBA history.
The Pacers got outscored by Cleveland in the second quarter, but Indiana would outscore Cleveland 29-22 in the fourth to secure the win.
Game 2 is Tuesday night in Cleveland at 7 pm. Pregame coverage starts at 6:30 on 93.5 and 107.5 The Fan.