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Cleveland Cavs recap in NBA playoffs | Cavaliers vs Pacers, Game 4 updates, highlights
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- Cleveland Cavs recap in NBA playoffs | Cavaliers vs Pacers, Game 4 updates, highlights
INDIANAPOLIS — The Cavaliers failed their mission to return to Cleveland tied with the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
In a virtual must-win scenario, the Cavs prevailed in Game 3, narrowing their deficit to 2-1 in the best-of-seven, second-round series with the Pacers.
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But with a chance to even the series, the Cavs were blown out 129-109 in Game 4 on Sunday, May 11, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Adding injury to insult, Cavs All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell missed the entire second half with a left ankle injury. Now the Cavs trail 3-1 in the series.
Here is how the top-seeded Cavs versus the fourth-seeded Pacers unfolded through our updates:
Cavaliers playoffs: Cavs beat Pacers in Game 3 with Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus leadership on display
Cavs begin the fourth quarter of Game 4 with backups on the court and starters resting
Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson waved the proverbial white flag to begin the fourth quarter.
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Backups Ty Jerome , Isaac Okoro , Tristan Thompson , Javonte Green and rookie Jaylon Tyson started the final quarter for Cleveland as starters rested with the game out of reach.
The Cavs entered the fourth quarter behind by 32 points.
Cavaliers being destroyed by Pacers in Game 4
The obliteration continues, and the Pacers are up 109-77 entering the fourth quarter. But, then again, this one was over a long time ago.
The Cavs' bigger concern now is with Donovan Mitchell 's status for Game 5.
Darius Garland is up to 21 points, though considering he's coming off of a toe injury, his night is likely done, or it should be. Evan Mobley is in a similar boat in what has been a bit of an off night. Mobley scored the Cavs' first points of the night but has scored only seven points since that basket.
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It's been a total dismantling.
Donovan Mitchell injury: Star guard doubtful to return with ankle injury
Cavaliers All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell is doubtful to return with a left ankle injury . Though, Game 4 is certainly over. The major concern for the Cavs will be Mitchell's Game 5 availability.
As for Game 4, the Pacers lead 94-60 with 4:48 left in the third quarter. Indiana has simply demolished the Cavs tonight.
Donovan Mitchell not starting second half of Game 4
Cavs All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell is not starting the third quarter of Game 4. He also isn't currently on the Cavaliers' bench.
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No injury update or information has been released as to why Mitchell is out of the game at the moment, or if he'll return.
Mitchell has been playing this series through a calf strain. It's unclear if that is related to his current absence.
Cavs are being blown out by 41 points at halftime vs. Pacers
The Cavs like to call their offensive outbursts Cavalanches. Well, the Pacers had their version and led the Cavs 80-39 at halftime. Yeah, it's a 41-point differential.
If you would like a snapshot of the first half, just look at the final two minutes.
Pacers center Myles Turner made a 3-pointer over Cavs center Jarrett Allen with 1:49 left. Then, three seconds later, Cavs small forward Max Strus was called for an offensive foul for running into Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton . For good measure, Strus picked up a technical foul for protesting the offensive foul call.
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Then Haliburton made a deep 3 with 1:39 left, and Turner drained two more 3s with 55.8 seconds and 26.8 seconds remaining. After Cavs point guard Darius Garland made a driving layup, Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith made a fadeaway jumper over Cavs forward Evan Mobley just before the buzzer.
Pacers 80, Cavs 39 at halftime. Yikes!
The 41-point halftime differential is tied for the largest in NBA playoff history, according to ESPN.
Cavs trail Pacers 60-32 with 4:53 left in the second quarter
Aside from Pacers wing Bennedict Mathurin being ejected in the first quarter, virtually nothing has gone right for the Cavs thus far in Game 4. The Cavs are discombobulated on offense, and the 3-2 zone defense they used so well in Game 3 has yielded some 3-pointers in Game 4.
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The Cavs trailed 60-32 with 4:53 left in the second quarter.
Point guard Darius Garland made a 3-pointer with 6:03 left, trimming the Cavs' huge deficit to 56-32. On the ensuing possession, Garland picked up his third foul and checked out of the game with 5:45 left.
Then Pacers center Myles Turner had a chance at a three-point play after making a layup against Cavs wing De'Andre Hunter. Turner missed the free throw but got the offensive rebound to keep possession. Moments later, forward Obi Toppin produced a putback to give the Pacers a 60-32 advantage and prompt a Cavs timeout.
Pacers crushing Cavaliers in Game 4
The Pacers are running the Cavs out of the building early in the second quarter, now up 48-23 with 9:24 to go in the first half.
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That lead includes a 10-0 run to open the second quarter. In Game 3, the Cavs held the Pacers to 13 points for the entire quarter. In Game 4, Indiana is nearing that with 9:24 left.
The Cavs are just 4-for-17 shooting from the floor. The Pacers, meanwhile, are a blisteringly hot 8 of 13 from 3-point range.
Pascal Siakam has been outstanding, now with a game-high 12 points on a perfect 5-for-5 shooting from the floor.
Cavaliers, Pacers Game 4 score: Indiana leads by 15 after first quarter
It was a picture-perfect first quarter for the Pacers, who will take a 38-23 lead into the second quarter.
The Pacers not only put up nearly 40 points in 12 minutes of basketball, they also made every single move and step difficult for the Cavs. The Pacers, once again, have been forcing the action on both ends of the floor with not only their speed but their physicality. The Cavs haven't been able to keep up on defense or cover inch of the floor like they need to, and they've had little rhythm on the offensive end.
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It's exactly what a quarter needed to look like for the Pacers after the Cavaliers appeared to rebound in several major ways in Game 3.
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Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin ejected from Game 4 for scuffle with Cavs forward De'Andre Hunter
Cavs forward De'Andre Hunter and Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin were involved in a scuffle that has led to Mathurin's ejection from Game 4, as well as technical fouls to Hunter and Myles Turner.
Mathurin hit Hunter with a shot to the ribs, which the officials described as "closed-fist."
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The scuffle has further energized the building, especially with the Pacers leading 22-10.
Cavs vs Pacers: Bennedict Mathurin ejected after Game 4 altercation with De'Andre Hunter
Cavaliers, Pacers Game 4 update: Indiana up by 6 midway through first quarter
The Pacers are often utilizing a full-court press, and in the process are making just about every offensive action for the Cavs difficult. It not only puts pressure on every possession but also could be a play by the Pacers to again wear out Cleveland by the end of the fourth quarter, similar to Game 2 in Cleveland.
Midway through the first quarter, the Pacers lead the Cavs 16-10.
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Cavs, Pacers score in Game 4: Indiana jumps out to early lead
The Pacers have punched first in Game 4, opening up a 12-5 lead with 9:27 left in the first quarter.
Four of the five starters for the Pacers have three or four points, with only Myles Turner yet to score in what has been a balanced attack. For the Cavs, Evan Mobley nailed a 3 to stop the momentum, but he also airballed an attempt a minute later.
Below is some pregame information
Cavs injury report today
The Cavs did not list All-Star forward Evan Mobley (sprained left ankle), All-Star point guard Darius Garland (sprained left big toe) and wing De'Andre Hunter (sprained right shooting thumb) on their injury report on the eve of Game 4. It's the organization's way of indicating no significant setbacks occurred in Game 3, when all three players returned from injury. In other words, they are expected to play again.
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During Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson's pregame media availability, he said the recoveries of Mobley, Garland and Hunter have been "pretty good" since Game 3.
"I think DG is the one we just continue to keep an eye on and manage him," Atkinson said. "Evan and Dre seem like they are doing OK, but I'll communicate with them during the game, too."
Cavs in NBA playoffs: 'Now or never': Cavaliers beat Pacers as Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, De'Andre Hunter return
Pacers injury report today
The Pacers ruled out forward Isaiah Jackson (right Achilles tendon tear).
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How to watch Cavs game tonight: TV channel, streaming, radio info for Game 4 vs. Pacers
Game 4 can be watched nationally on TNT. It can be heard on the radio via WMMS (100.7-FM) and WTAM (1100).
Pacers vs. Cavs last game
With All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell leading the way, the Cavs took control in the fourth quarter after the Pacers had cut their deficit to 11 points with 8:26 left to play. Mitchell scored 14 of his game-high 43 points in the fourth quarter, and the Cavs prevailed 126-104 in Game 3.
The Cavs also received excellent play from small forward Max Strus, who compiled 20 points, seven rebounds and seven assists while helping the Cleveland defense limit Pacers star guard Tyrese Haliburton to four points, a career playoff low.
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The Cavs received a major boost with All-Star forward Evan Mobley (sprained left ankle), All-Star point guard Darius Garland (sprained left big toe) and wing De'Andre Hunter (sprained right shooting thumb) returning from injury. Mobley had 18 points and 13 rebounds, Garland scored 10 points and Hunter added eight points and five rebounds.
Atkinson deployed a 3-2 zone defense, a change from the team's typical 2-3 zone, against the Pacers in the second quarter, when Cleveland outscored Indiana 34-13.
What is the playoff history between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers ?
In the playoffs, the Cavs are 10-8 against the Pacers. The record includes Cleveland's losses in Game 1 and Game 2 and its win in Game 3 this year.
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Here is a breakdown of the previous three series the two teams have shared:
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2018: LeBron James and the Cavs got past the Pacers in the first round, but it took seven games. The Cavs ultimately were swept 4-0 by the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals.
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2017: Coming off Cleveland's 2016 NBA title and led by James, the Cavs swept the Pacers 4-0 in the first round. The Cavs eventually lost 4-1 to the Warriors in the NBA Finals.
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1998: The Cavs fell 3-1 to the Pacers in Round 1. The Pacers were eventually eliminated by the Chicago Bulls in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Michael Jordan and the Bulls then beat the Utah Jazz 4-2 in the NBA Finals.
Cavs playoff schedule: Eastern Conference semifinals vs. Pacers
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Game 4:Cavs at Pacers — 8 p.m. Sunday, May 11, TNT
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Game 5:Pacers at Cavs — 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 13, TNT
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Game 6:Cavs at Pacers — time TBD, Thursday, May 15 (if necessary), ESPN
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Game 7:Pacers at Cavs — time TBD, Sunday, May 18 (if necessary), TV TBD
NBA playoff bracket: Eastern Conference first round
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No. 1 seed Cavaliers vs. No. 8 seed Miami Heat (Cleveland won series 4-0)
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No. 2 seed Boston Celtics vs. No. 7 seed Orlando Magic (Boston won series 4-1)
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No. 3 seed New York Knicks vs. No. 6 seed Detroit Pistons (New York won series 4-2)
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No. 4 seed Indiana Pacers vs. No. 5 seed Milwaukee Bucks (Indiana won series 4-1)
NBA playoff bracket: Eastern Conference second round
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No. 1 seed Cavaliers vs. No. 4 seed Indiana Pacers (Cleveland trails series 2-1)
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No. 2 seed Boston Celtics vs. No. 3 seed New York Knicks (New York leads series 2-1)
Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich .
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cavs recap vs Pacers, Game 4 live updates, highlights in NBA playoffs
