Pacers Rally from 19 Down to Oust Cavs, Secure East Finals Berth

The Indiana Pacers secured their place in the Eastern Conference finals for the second consecutive year, overcoming the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers 114-105 on Tuesday.

After falling behind by 19 points in the first half, Indiana clawed back in the second and third quarters to shift the momentum. Cleveland managed to cut the deficit to just one point in the fourth quarter, but the Pacers responded with a decisive 27-19 surge over the final 9:24 to seal the win.

Tyrese Haliburton led the charge for Indiana, posting 31 points, eight assists, and six rebounds. The Pacers’ starting five all reached double figures, including Pascal Siakam, who added 21 points, eight rebounds, five assists, and two blocks.

In the loss, Donovan Mitchell scored a game-high 35 points, despite a challenging night from the floor, hitting only 8 of 25 shots but converting 15 of 21 free throws. Evan Mobley also contributed significantly with 24 points and 11 rebounds.

The Pacers swept their road games in Cleveland, including the first two matchups in the series.

“It’s a big moment for our team, our fans, and the entire organization,” Indiana head coach Rick Carlisle said, as reported by NBA journalist Scott Agness. “Closing out a series on the road is a tough task.”

Cleveland entered the postseason as one of the league’s strongest teams, having won 64 regular-season games, the second-best in franchise history. Head coach Kenny Atkinson was named Coach of the Year, and Mobley took home the Defensive Player of the Year award. The Cavaliers had dominated the Miami Heat in a first-round sweep.

Last year, the Pacers also reached the conference finals, eliminating the Milwaukee Bucks and New York Knicks before falling to the eventual champion Boston Celtics.

Indiana now awaits either the Celtics or Knicks in the conference finals, with a chance to advance to the NBA Finals.