Category
🥇
SportsTranscript
00:00In that first half, they are going to have to give more.
00:04A 19-point Cleveland lead is down to four at halftime.
00:12Second round coverage on TNT is presented by Wingstop.
00:16Second round coverage on TNT is presented by Wingstop.
00:30Nightfall, downtown Cleveland.
00:32Boy, you can sense the urgency.
00:34Everything at stake for the Cavaliers trying to keep their season alive
00:37and get this series back to Indianapolis.
00:39As we welcome you, Courtside, Spiro, Thetis, and G.A.
00:41We'll hear from Jared here in just a second
00:43as we get to our Mountain Dew splash play.
00:46Tyrese Halliburton, really quiet first quarter,
00:49but, boy, did he start to cook in the second.
00:51Yeah, he just has a feel for when to go for it,
00:55and I thought he just was patient throughout the game,
00:58understanding they're going to have a moment,
01:00and, boy, did he in that second quarter
01:03give a lot of light to this Pacers team.
01:07GMB time, what did you see from the Cavaliers?
01:10They were up 19 points with eight minutes left in the second quarter,
01:13and then everything just kind of changed
01:15with their offense.
01:16Now, listen, Donovan Mitchell's their best player,
01:19but Evan Mobley tonight and Jared Allen
01:22have been their most effective players.
01:25They've got to get back to playing
01:28through that dynamic duo on the inside.
01:30That's where the advantage was.
01:31I felt like they went away from that,
01:34and that's what allowed for the Pacers to get back into it.
01:38Let's check in with Jared.
01:39Jared spoke to Jenny Busek, assistant coach for the Pacers,
01:42coming out of the halftime,
01:43and she said it was a process-oriented halftime meeting
01:46where we challenged our bench to be better.
01:49Our big theme this year has been wearing teams down.
01:51We have to get back to doing that,
01:52and mostly she said we cannot let the Cavs play downhill.
01:57All right, Jared, let's see if they heed their coach's advice.
02:00Pascal Siakam, a three-time All-Star,
02:03spinning a turnaround tough shot
02:04against an excellent defensive player in Jared Allen.
02:08That was really good defense there.
02:10This is where I don't want them.
02:11I like to see them allow Mobley to get two feet in the paint
02:14and work on that postgame.
02:18Evan Mobley, so exactly the way Cleveland started the night,
02:22they begin the third quarter.
02:24Yeah, I mean, he's able to score there,
02:26but that's not the way ideally you want it.
02:28You want him to get some opportunity to get your number right there
02:31with a dislodge on the offensive foul.
02:33But I'd like to see them run some action
02:36and then get him on that low block.
02:39That's, he's got an advantage matchup-wise for the Cavs.
02:45Boy, if anyone told us that Garland and Mitchell
02:47would shoot five of 21 in the first half,
02:49and you may raise your eyebrows
02:52as Garland hits a driving scoop
02:54and a quick timeout for Carlisle.
02:56Not happy with that uncontested layup there to start.
03:04Spread for tonight's game,
03:05and look at where it started.
03:06Eight and a half, currently ten and a half.
03:08Ooh, ooh, that's a big jump there.
03:11And I'll tell you what,
03:11you saw Rick Carlisle with the quick timeout.
03:13Look at how disengaged defensively the Pacers have been.
03:17They've been physical,
03:18they've been great at the point of attack,
03:20and nobody willing to step over.
03:22That is unacceptable when you've got a chance
03:25to get to the conference finals.
03:29But Carlisle immediately tries to nip it in the bud
03:31with that quick timeout.
03:33As he should,
03:34because you've got to get your guys refocused.
03:36Because they are in still a great position here.
03:43Second personal charge to Garland
03:45with a buck five gone by now in the quarter.
03:50So Cleveland at one point up 19.
03:53Kenny Atkinson's bunch saw their lead cut to four at halftime.
03:56And right now it's at eight.
03:59And something Jared said, I think it's spot on.
04:02Look, the Pacers have already won the battle of the bench
04:05because they've forced Cleveland to shrink Bears.
04:08They still have confidence in their group.
04:10They know they're going to have time here
04:12to wear this Cavs team down.
04:14Donovan Mitchell, he's blocked by Turner.
04:17And look at Nembhard.
04:19What a sequence that is so indicative
04:21of what this Pacers team has become.
04:26Mitchell slowed up just a little bit.
04:29Yeah, he just...
04:30Boy, he miscalculated.
04:31Yeah, that's a huge play, too.
04:33I mean, Turner looks like he's laboring a little bit.
04:36Boy, Cleveland is arguing that that hit the glass
04:38before Turner got to it.
04:43It looks like they're just talking about the shot clock.
04:45They're going to put a couple of seconds back on.
04:47What a play by Turner at Nembhard.
04:49Yeah, and you have to wonder
04:51if the injury played a role in that for Mitchell
04:54after the steal.
04:56But you cannot assume that the opponent's
04:59going to just give up on the play.
05:01Donovan Mitchell, by the way, does not have a basket
05:03since the first quarter.
05:04Turner again, he's there to bother the play.
05:06So, back-to-back defensive gems by Turner.
05:11There comes Halliburton.
05:13Scores 15 in the second quarter.
05:15Turner initiated a contact,
05:17and he's called for a travel.
05:18Yeah, switch pivots there.
05:20That was a great job, Jared Allen,
05:23not allowing the dislodge there from Turner.
05:31Cleveland Cavaliers, a team that won 34-7
05:34in this building this season.
05:37Got to get one tonight.
05:38Max Struis missed it.
05:40Mitchell there.
05:42And again, unable to finish right at the rim.
05:45You just have to keep wondering about that left ankle for Mitchell.
05:49Two minutes gone by in the quarter.
05:51Turner turns and makes it look easy
05:53over the top of Struis.
05:55This is a really important stretch for Cleveland.
05:59They just seem like, energy-wise, they've lost a little bit.
06:04First basket tonight for Turner.
06:07And there it is Mobley.
06:08How big is that basket?
06:12And again, I go back to this.
06:15I think they've got to incorporate him into their offense a little bit more.
06:19He seems like he is ready to be aggressive.
06:22But when you're a big, oftentimes you're reliant upon your teammates to give you the ball.
06:27He only averaged about 12-13 shot attempts per game during the regular season.
06:32He's 6 of 8 tonight.
06:34Halliburton's going to pull.
06:35Back of the rim.
06:38And Mobley with his fifth rebound.
06:43Nine-point Cavaliers lead.
06:44Nine and change.
06:45Left early stages, third quarter.
06:48Struis chased around by Halliburton.
06:51Allen turned back.
06:53It's Turner again.
06:56Here comes Neesmith going right to the cup.
07:00And Indiana within seven.
07:02They are not going to go away again.
07:05I like the aggressiveness of the Pacers.
07:10Mitchell steps into a three too much.
07:12And Donovan Mitchell now from the three-point stripe tonight is all of six.
07:16And has a team, two of 14.
07:19So that is what was a strength of this team as a weakness here in this series.
07:25Fisher's going to get Garland.
07:26This will be his third personal.
07:28As he pulled Miles Turner to the floor.
07:31Again, the Cavs during the regular season, G.A.
07:33To your point, second best three-point shooting team in the NBA.
07:39They entered this night in the series 30%.
07:42And they've been even worse so far here in game five.
07:45And just watching the game, even though the Cavs are up seven,
07:49it just feels like the Pacers are a little bit more connected as a group.
07:55Alliburton doesn't want to scream, bounce to Siakam, straightaway three, and he connects.
08:03A dozen for Siakam, and they're back to within four.
08:10First three of the night for Siakam.
08:14Here comes Garland taking a little bit of a bump from Neesmith.
08:17So they'll put Garland at the free-throw line.
08:21And again, when the tension starts to rise in this building.
08:25Yeah, just a breakdown there.
08:27I'm not sure what their coverage is in the pick and roll,
08:30if it's a hedge and a show and get back, or if they're going to switch.
08:34But they just seem indecisive defensively, the Cavs.
08:41You can enter for a chance to win NBA prizes at MichelobUltra.com slash courtside,
08:48courtesy of MichelobUltra0.
08:50Zero alcohol, 29 calories.
08:52Try it today.
08:54G.A., you find out so much about a team, both, of course, from Cleveland's perspective
08:58and Indiana.
08:59This group, their last three chances in a closeout game, they've won all three.
09:04Yeah, I mean, they just are more in tune with who they are
09:08in terms of how they play the game.
09:11Halliburton steps into a three, and he buries it.
09:15Tyrese Halliburton rising to the moment yet again.
09:23Garland freed up by a hard screen to get it to Strews, corner three.
09:27Strews has been really quiet tonight.
09:29Still hasn't hit a basket.
09:31He's 0-4.
09:31And early foul trouble definitely had an impact on him getting his rhythm.
09:36And the Pacers right now getting whatever they want.
09:41They don't knock that down, but their shot quality is much better than what we're seeing from the Cavs.
09:48Garland working off the corner.
09:49It stops on a dime, and the Cavs again have gone cold.
09:52Their shooting percentage now has dipped under 45%.
09:56Siakam, mismatch with Garland.
10:01Allen got a piece.
10:03Siakam's going to fire, and he's put the Pacers in front.
10:08And the restlessness here in Cleveland grows.
10:14First lead since the early moments for Indiana.
10:19Indiana.
10:19Here at Cleveland, the Indiana Pacers have put together a 13-4 run.
10:30They've erased a 19-point first-half deficit.
10:33And right now, G8, they are taking the fight to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
10:40I mean, the Pacers look like the better team in some regards.
10:46It feels like the Cavs are feeling defeated.
10:49They just, the energy has dropped.
10:52The activity levels has not been there.
10:56Let's see if the substitutions that come with Hunter and Wade,
11:00if they can somehow get their mojo back here in the third.
11:04Donovan Mitchell has not hit a field goal since the closing seconds of the first quarter.
11:10He's 3 of 14 from the field.
11:12Max screws off balance.
11:13Halliburton bothered the shot.
11:16And a bad trip for the Cavs.
11:19Out of the timeout.
11:21First time Indiana has had a lead.
11:25Since the 8.30 mark of the opening quarter,
11:28Siakam takes contact from Wade.
11:30Interesting to see how Kenny Atkinson handles his rotations here in the second half.
11:37Again, we have not seen Ty Jerome yet,
11:39so he's tweaked things, just looking for some kind of a spark.
11:43I tell you, I go back to, though, again, they're settling.
11:47They have struggled to shoot the ball from the perimeter.
11:50They have been really good when they've attacked the rim,
11:52and they've just gone away from what's worked for them here tonight.
11:56Siakam.
11:56So a 15-4 spurt by the Pacers.
12:02Pascal Siakam had some terrific games in the opening round against the Bucs.
12:09And he is putting together a huge night and a money spot for the Pacers.
12:15Nice little backdoor idea from Struz.
12:17Deflected out of bounds.
12:187 to shoot.
12:20You just mentioned it during the break.
12:21Evan Mobley, 6 of 9 from the field.
12:23Jared Allen, 4 of 6, but they just haven't had many touches here the last couple of minutes.
12:27Yeah, and a lot of times, they're not guys that you just throw the ball to and say,
12:31go get me one.
12:32But you execute offensively and get them in positions where they can be effective.
12:38It hasn't been the case here in this second half.
12:40Mitchell, another miss.
12:41Struz, Struz, swallowed up by Siakam.
12:47Into the corner.
12:48This is Nembhard, pulls a 3.
12:51Siakam's going to get called for an over the back.
12:54And he can't believe it.
12:56That'll be his third personal.
12:59So the Cavs are going to get it back.
13:01But, G.A., they have not hit a field goal now in more than 4 minutes.
13:04You see, Mitchell goes down.
13:08He comes up, limping a little bit.
13:12He's clearly feeling the effects of that left ankle that he aggravated.
13:17Right now, this Cavs, he's searching.
13:19And the Pacers, I love the fact that they're staying aggressive defensively.
13:25Max Struz, with Mitchell struggling,
13:30just has not been able to put his offensive game together.
13:32He's 0 of 7.
13:35Who else can pick up the slack?
13:37Siakam puts it up.
13:38He's going to shoot free throws.
13:40So, obviously, Mitchell laboring G.A.
13:43And the question now is,
13:44who can pick up the Cavs' franchise player?
13:48But this possession here is a perfect example.
13:51They get the ball to Siakam in a position where he can attack.
13:55They get him at the mid post.
13:57They clear it out.
13:58You've got to honor the three-point shooting.
13:59And we just haven't seen a similar attack from Cleveland offensively.
14:04Put Mobley in some situations where he can catch it with his back to the basket
14:08and compromise that patient defense.
14:12So, a non-shooting foul.
14:14And now the officials make the call the other way.
14:17Just checking the clock.
14:30They had a couple seconds come off on the game clock there.
14:33So, the five-second violation and the turnover by Indiana gets it back to the Cavs.
14:40Playing in a three-point hole as we are past the midway point of this third quarter.
14:45Donovan Mitchell, can he ignite his offense into the corner?
14:49Okoro comes across the paint.
14:52Well played.
14:53Siakam Mobley from deep.
14:55But it desperately needed that shot.
14:57And Siakam Mobley's change.
15:05Here comes Neesmith looking for a scene.
15:08Alliburton, good close Hunter.
15:11Alliburton, beautiful teardrop.
15:13Look at the offense.
15:14Attack, kick out, get him in rotation, create an advantage for your teammate.
15:19And the Cavs have not been doing that here.
15:22It's one pass or no pass and then trying a straight-line drive.
15:27And that has just not been an effective offense here for Cleveland.
15:31That's just, that's good basketball.
15:33You know, you get the ball to the paint.
15:35You put him in rotation.
15:36You make the right reads out of it.
15:38And Halliburton, they're finishing it off.
15:40And how good has he been since the start of the second quarter?
15:43So, Donovan Mitchell, boy, worst possible sight for Cleveland walking into the locker room
15:48or at least towards there as we check in here with Jared.
15:51Guys, I'll keep you updated on Donovan Mitchell's status as soon as I know more.
15:54But earlier tonight, I had a conversation with Tyrese Halliburton
15:57who told me that he's been motivated to show that last year's run to the Eastern Conference Final wasn't a fluke.
16:03Halliburton's focus all season has been to prove people wrong.
16:06He felt like people were taking a victory lap when the Pacers got off to a slow start this season.
16:11And, guys, Halliburton's gold medal winning teammates have been keeping tabs on him all postseason long,
16:17including Joel Embiid, who texted Halliburton the other day telling him to be more aggressive in the series.
16:22I don't imagine he'd be proud of what Halliburton's doing in this game.
16:26Boy, Embiid, remember Halliburton, the hamstring injury that ended his postseason bid early against Boston
16:31in the Conference Finals lingered into the summer with Team USA
16:34and was really the reason why he got off to such a slow start this season.
16:38But Halliburton's numbers since the All-Star break, just astounding for the Pacers.
16:43Here he comes again underneath.
16:46Bryant turned back by Mobley.
16:50Oh, heck of a play by Mobley.
16:54Here comes Garland.
16:56Nearside bad pass for Okoro.
16:59And they turn it over.
17:00Thomas Bryant, like a runaway freight train.
17:06And Indiana on a 17-2 run.
17:10And it feels like they're up 20 right now.
17:13Just, it's a two-possession game, but it feels like they're in total control right now.
17:18Cavs playing without any confidence offensively.
17:21Isaac Okoro unable to hit.
17:25And now to make matters worse, you've got Donovan Mitchell in the Cleveland locker room.
17:29Neesmith missed it at the cup.
17:32Boy, Bryant and Okoro get tangled up.
17:39Donovan Mitchell now back out of the tunnel.
17:41He's at the end of the bench now walking towards the coaches.
17:44But the Cavs in the quarter are 3 of 17 shooting.
17:49Wade's going to fire.
17:52And they just cannot find any offense.
17:55It's kind of painful.
17:56Boy, dazzling pass Halliburton to Bryant.
18:00The Indiana Pacers trying to break the Cavaliers' spirit.
18:06And they're up 8.
18:07They are getting whatever they want offensively.
18:11Taking control here in the third.
18:14Let's check out the limelight presented by Corona.
18:20Look at what Indiana has done with the shooting tonight.
18:24First quarter, quiet start.
18:26But boy, they have ignited their offense and unlocked something.
18:29As they now have opened up an 8-point lead.
18:32Well, they were patient.
18:33They withstood that initial onslaught from Cleveland.
18:38Did you see Donovan Mitchell back on the bench?
18:41And their defense has really dictated.
18:43And the Cavs have helped them.
18:44I just feel like offensively they have just gotten away from who they are as a team.
18:49A lot of self-willing going on right now.
18:54Boy, they miss again.
18:55No field goals for the Cavs in almost 7 minutes.
18:58They've missed 17 of their last 18 shots.
19:03Mitchell on the bench.
19:04And it's just crazy.
19:05Again, this was the second-best offensive rating team ever during the regular season.
19:11All you have to do is look at how few passes they make per possession compared to what you see.
19:18The Pacers typically move the ball side to side.
19:22Rarely do you see a possession where one guy just takes it like there.
19:25But Halliburton's found his rhythm.
19:28And he is sensing the moment.
19:31Ty Jerome, meantime, inserted for the first time tonight.
19:35And he's going to go for pro.
19:38He's been on that bench all night.
19:40And he uncorks one to try to breathe some life into the Cavaliers.
19:47He's definitely gotten the crowd back into it.
19:50I mean, it feels like they're down 20, but it's basically a two-possession game.
19:56Thomas Bryant coming back door.
19:59That was the first field goal for Cleveland in more than 7 minutes.
20:04And the issue 2, now they're going to bring Jared Allen.
20:06I was about to say they are really small, the Cavs, right now.
20:10With DeAndre Hunter being the tallest player on the floor.
20:14So, defensively, they're going to be challenged.
20:19Darius Garland inside of 2 minutes left in the quarter.
20:21Changed his mind.
20:22He went glass.
20:23Tough shot with Bryant on his hip.
20:25Pacers looking to push.
20:27Toppin, Euro step, and he's headed to the free throw line.
20:31Monstrous play by Toppin.
20:33It's an 11-point lead.
20:35But every possession is an individual attack.
20:40And then that just unleashes the Pacers in the open floor.
20:44They are always looking to put pressure on your transition defense, especially when you run poor offense, which has really been the case this entire quarter for the Cavs.
20:54Indiana, a top-five team on the fast break this season in terms of transition points tonight.
21:02Haven't had many fast break opportunities, but Toppin in the open floor gets them their seventh fast break point of the night.
21:10A three-point play, and their lead is a dozen.
21:17Ty Jerome hounded in the backcourt by Matherin.
21:19Poked away.
21:20That's an eight-second.
21:21Oh, they got away.
21:22Officials missed it.
21:23It was definitely an eight-second violation.
21:27Cavaliers trying to capitalize.
21:28Hunter elevates.
21:30Missed it.
21:30Boy, he has been awfully quiet tonight since that good start.
21:34Remember, he hit his first three shots.
21:35I go back to it.
21:37Basketball is a game of rhythm, and it's really hard to get rhythm when every possession offensively is one guy just trying to create an opportunity for himself.
21:46Matherin, pretty drive on the reverse, just couldn't hit.
21:52Jerome's going to pull again, and he throws it.
21:58He has at least given them some life here in this third quarter.
22:03Ty Jerome, he's got that spunk, trying to pick up Cleveland off the mat here in game five.
22:15Boy, here in Cleveland, this place was dead quiet just a couple of minutes ago, but Ty Jerome, who was on the bench the first two-and-a-half quarters, inserted by his head coach, Kenny Atkinson.
22:29He's hit two threes, and we got a nine-point game.
22:33And Mitchell back in as well.
22:34And I tell you what, boy, did that get the crowd back into the game.
22:39This place felt like we were at a funeral there for a while.
22:42It was so quiet in here, just no energy in the building.
22:45Now, all of a sudden, there's some hope.
22:47T.J. McConnell reinserted by Rick Carlisle.
22:54Toppin' trying to turn the corner.
22:57This is Bryant.
22:58He's going to pull a three, and he hits.
23:00That's just good offense.
23:02Again, great defense, and all it takes is one breakdown towards the end there.
23:06Bryant delivers there with that corner triple.
23:09Boy, Thomas Bryant, all nine of his points have come in the quarter.
23:14Mitchell, tough shot.
23:16Boy, it takes another contact and another hit.
23:19Every time he hits the floor, you can see him laboring back to his feet.
23:24How much left does Mitchell have in the gas tank?
23:27He's four of 16.
23:29He's going to shoot his 13th free throw of the night.
23:33Well, he struggled.
23:34Garland also struggling in terms of the shot-making in this game.
23:40And that is just not a recipe for success.
23:43G.A., his first field goal since there were 36 seconds left in the first quarter.
23:49Incredible.
23:51And a lot of it is, again, I go back to what the Pacers are so good at,
23:55and the Cavs had been all season.
23:58There are times where you've got to let your offense create offense.
24:01Ball movement, spacing.
24:05Boy, McConnell, beautiful crossover.
24:07Matherin on the dive, and he lays it in.
24:10Again, that's what McConnell brings this team.
24:12What a luxury to have as your backup point guard as Indiana's lead back to 11.
24:17He's such a terrific decision-maker, and you know what's coming.
24:22And it's just so hard to stay disciplined enough to keep him in front of you.
24:28Final seven seconds of the quarter.
24:31Here comes Hunter to the cup.
24:34Over the top of Bryant.
24:361.5 inbound top-in.
24:41Going to get all the clean look.
24:43And that'll get us to the end of the third quarter here in Cleveland.
24:47A four-point halftime lead for the Cavs.
24:52It's now a nine-point deficit.
24:54The 20-25 NBA playoffs are presented by Google.
25:04Second-round coverage on TNT is presented by Wingstop.
25:09Downtown Cleveland.
25:10And, boy, the ultimate gut-check moment for the Cavaliers.
25:14The one seed in the East.
25:16But how do they navigate this fourth quarter?
25:17Now, clearly, they're two guards physically wounded.
25:20They're wounded, but they have not really played the game well either.
25:25And it's been a struggle for the Cavs.
25:27Moments ago, Jared spoke with Evan Mobley.
25:31Evan, how do you guys get back to that start you had at the beginning of the game?
25:35We got to play defense.
25:36That's the main thing.
25:37Get stops.
25:37And then in transition, we got to score.
25:39Your backcourt clearly hobbled tonight.
25:42What can you guys do to make up for that?
25:43It's a playoff.
25:45We got to just suck it up, play through it, and get to our shots and knock them down.
25:49All right.
25:50Good luck, Kevin.
25:50Appreciate it.
25:51Guys.
25:52All right, Jared.
25:52Great stuff.
25:54This crowd on its feet better than 19,000.
25:57Trying to will the Cavaliers to a potential game six.
26:01Ty Jerome pulling this team back from the fire.
26:08Eight points for Jerome.
26:09Again, he was on the bench the first two and a half quarters, if you've just joined us.
26:13He has given them a nice bark and really the only perimeter player that's been able to
26:20make some shots here for the Cavs.
26:23Siakam, four to shoot.
26:25Allen hedging.
26:26Siakam, tough shot.
26:28Loose ball.
26:29Mitchell.
26:31Jerome thought about it.
26:32Going to pull it back.
26:34With Memhart getting there for the Pacers.
26:37Donovan Mitchell fakes.
26:43Matherin bites.
26:45And Donovan Mitchell's going to shoot free throws.
26:47Boy Matherin looked like he may have pulled back enough, but there was just enough contact.
26:53As Mark Lindsay makes the call.
26:54Yeah, good play by Mitchell to initiate the contact.
26:58But again, that starts because of ball movement.
27:01And you can see he gets the lean in there.
27:04That's an easy call for the official to make.
27:07The Cavaliers in the third quarter outscored 33 to 20.
27:16As they try to climb out of what is a six-point hole as we play in the opening minute of this fourth quarter.
27:22A Cavaliers team that posted 64 wins in the regular season, second most in franchise history.
27:36But none of that will matter if they can't find a way to win here in game five.
27:41It looks like they're starting to get a little rhythm offensively.
27:45And again, a ton of time.
27:46You've just got to, if you're the Cavs, you've got to focus on time and score.
27:50Not get ahead of yourself.
27:52Stay within your offense.
27:54And more importantly, they're going to have to string together some stops.
28:01Mobley and Garland on the bench.
28:03Kenny Atkinson trying to get him a quick breather here.
28:06As this place comes alive again.
28:09And a raucous seed here in Cleveland.
28:14McConnell.
28:16Working against Jerome.
28:17Knocked away.
28:18Mitchell.
28:19It's loose.
28:20Turnover.
28:22Mitchell doesn't have numbers.
28:23He doesn't care.
28:24To the wreck.
28:24Matherin gets him from the back.
28:27How about the effort there by Matherin?
28:30Not giving up on the play.
28:32And then Matherin is able to create the contact at the other end as he collides with his nemesis Hunter.
28:40What a sequence by Matherin.
28:42Yeah, he just never gives up on that play there.
28:45Just a great effort.
28:45Just a great effort.
28:46And then runs the other way to create the contact.
28:49They don't give him free throws there.
28:51But terrific effort by Matherin.
28:54So side out McConnell will throw in 90 seconds gone by in the fourth.
29:00Matherin.
29:03Mitchell trying to tie him up with the officials.
29:05Going to get Mitchell in a reach in.
29:06And James Capers makes the call.
29:09Mitchell looking over at the assistants who have that quick monitor to determine if they want to challenge here.
29:16They will not.
29:16He did have a lot of ball on that play.
29:21But also keep in mind it wasn't a shooting foul.
29:26You don't want to give up that challenge in a close game.
29:30Both coaches still have their challenges.
29:32Five to shoot.
29:33McConnell wheeling underneath.
29:35Hunter the steal.
29:37Here he comes into the chest of Turner.
29:39Look at Turner.
29:40Boy, the reach in.
29:41Clean strip.
29:42What a defensive play by Turner to take away a layup.
29:47Yeah, I think Rick Carlisle has seen enough.
29:50He brings back Alliburton and Neesmith sensing the moment here.
29:55Still a ton of time.
29:57And Garland also checking in.
29:59And a nice hand for Ty Jerome who was, oh no, they're going to lead Ty Jerome in.
30:05What do you think?
30:06Listen, he's playing well.
30:08He's giving them a spark here.
30:09They're going to get Mitchell out.
30:11There's still ten minutes to go.
30:13So they're probably thinking, let's see if we can get Mitchell a little break here.
30:18And hopefully he can finish strong.
30:20Here comes Garland.
30:21Out to Hunter.
30:23Slashes in.
30:24The leaner too much.
30:26Gets it to Struis.
30:28And Max Struis just hasn't been his night.
30:31He's 0 of 5 from Beep and 0 of 8 from the field.
30:34Beep.
30:36Beep.
30:38Siakam.
30:38Backing down fades and hits.
30:43That's a great possession there.
30:47Siakam has felt real comfortable with that matchup on that mid post with Struis.
30:53But Garland's three rims out.
30:56Offensive carom for Allen.
30:58Reset Hunter.
31:00Hunter's going to hoist one.
31:02And he buries it!
31:03A potential four-point play from Hunter.
31:11How crazy is this game?
31:14I'm thinking, I didn't love this shot, to be honest, by Hunter.
31:18But clearly there, Siakam just doesn't give him any room to land.
31:25And that's what you're looking at.
31:26You can see clearly he's in his landing area there.
31:30With the Cavs down six.
31:33Hunter with a gigantic play for the Cavaliers.
31:37And all of a sudden, in a game that seems like it was lost, how about getting an offensive rebound?
31:46Here comes Garland scoop and layup.
31:49Got it!
31:50Turns out to be a five-point trip for Cleveland.
31:55The Cleveland Cavaliers on a 10-2 run.
32:05And we got a one-point game on TNT.
32:11On the fun here on TNT, just getting started.
32:14Our TNT game break presented by PayPal as soon as this one is over.
32:19And we'll get you out to Oklahoma City for the swing game five.
32:22And Jokic, Gilchis Alexander, getting themselves ready with that thing tied at two.
32:29Iron Eagle, Grant Hill, Stephanie Reddy will have the call.
32:33And what a response, G.A. by the Cavs.
32:35Again, they looked at the water just a couple of minutes ago.
32:38They've cut it to a point.
32:41Back in, it's back engaged.
32:44And what had been a struggle for them all series, really, the bench.
32:48All of a sudden, Tygerone comes in and gives them a little spark.
32:52Halliburton!
32:53Coming hard to the cup.
32:57How good has Tyrese Halliburton been all night?
33:01That ends a 10-2 run by the Cavs as we cross the nine-minute mark.
33:07Darius Garland with Shepard chasing contact, and he's going to shoot free throws.
33:11Boy, wise play by Garland and Halliburton sensing the moment going to the cup.
33:20But that possession there, great offensive execution creates the space.
33:24And then Halliburton does what he does as well as anybody in our league, makes the right read time and time again.
33:31And similarly, this last possession, that was a really good offensive set for Cleveland.
33:36They got some motion, they got some movement, a little misdirection, creating some angles to attack this Pacers team.
33:44As we're taking a little peek at the upcoming playoff schedule tomorrow, a couple of game fives here on TNT.
33:49Knicks and Celtics with New York looking to close that thing out in Boston.
33:53And Golden State trying to keep their season alive.
33:57NBA.com will visit the NBA app for the complete playoff schedule.
34:00Yeah, and our thoughts and prayers with Jason Tatum and his family.
34:03And he's so sad to see him go down the way he did.
34:06Such an incredible player.
34:08Myles Turner knocks down a deuce there and extend that lead to three.
34:14Boy, this is gut check time for Cleveland.
34:16Three-point game, eight-and-a-half left.
34:20Darius Garland pulls it back.
34:22He will fire, and it belongs to Indiana.
34:27That's kind of been their night.
34:29They just have not been able to knock down shots that we have seen them over the course of the season deliver on.
34:39He got a little bit of an issue trying to retrieve the basketball.
34:43Max Struis is going to give the ball play here a little bit of an assist.
34:50All right, there we go.
34:52So, 8.25 left.
34:57Donovan Mitchell reinserted by Kenny Atkinson.
35:00Can't waste any more time.
35:02Mitchell, 4 of 17, 0 of 7 from 3, but he's 14 of 16 at the line.
35:08And what has been another gritty performance by the Cavs franchise star.
35:14Siakam wants to take Struis into the corner.
35:23Nembhard, a three.
35:24He got it!
35:25They do such a good job of spacing it and just making the right read there.
35:31Siakam with a nice delivery for that corner triple.
35:34Second three tonight for Nembhard.
35:37He's got a dozen.
35:40Here comes Hunter trying to create the space against Halliburton.
35:43No.
35:43Mobley able to tap it in.
35:48Massive play for Cleveland.
35:50And you love the aggressiveness, but if you're Cleveland, don't forget about Mobley.
35:56Mobley's got 22 and 8.
35:58The officials are going to get Hunter here, way out on the perimeter.
36:03You don't like the foul, but you like the effort.
36:07You like seeing Hunter engaged, being a little physical at the point of attack there.
36:13That's a tough call.
36:15Third against Hunter, so now Cleveland only has one more foul left to give.
36:19Where it's still 7 1⁄2 left.
36:21Siakam crashing to the basket.
36:26Love that play there.
36:27They overextend the defense, and Halliburton gets it to Siakam.
36:32Late was the rotation by Cleveland.
36:34Boy, Mitchell taking the hip check from Neesmith.
36:38That'll get him to the line.
36:41Ty Jerome's going to check in, waiting at the table for Cleveland.
36:45You see they overextend defensively, and then Siakam able to attack.
36:50If you're Mobley in that situation, you've got to trust that weak side defense
36:54and step up on that possession and not allow Siakam to get to the launching pad.
37:00Donovan Mitchell, 17th and 18th free throws of the night.
37:07Just incredible.
37:10Just wondering what he would look like on that left ankle that he aggravated.
37:14Unable to play the second half the other night in game four.
37:18The other issue right now, too, Spiro, is will this group on the floor be able to get stops for Cleveland?
37:28This is not their best defensive unit.
37:32And they continue to struggle from the line.
37:37Mitchell, by the way, has taken more free throws tonight than the entire Pacers team.
37:4117, make it 18-16.
37:45Halliburton, boy, what a play by Jerome.
37:47Got the clean strip.
37:49Mitchell.
37:50First three tonight for Donovan Mitchell.
38:02And they're concerned about this unit defensively.
38:05They come up with the steal that leads to that triple.
38:08Let's see if they can string together some stops.
38:13Halliburton into the corner.
38:14Siakam.
38:16Front rim.
38:18Rebound.
38:19Garland.
38:20Mobley, 7 of 11 from the field.
38:30Now to Garland.
38:329 on the timer.
38:34Mitchell on a 3.
38:37Well, this place is ready to erupt again.
38:40And again, they don't knock it down, but I do like that possession in terms of the offense.
38:45And they're going to get tied to Rome there.
38:46On the foul.
38:48On the foul.
38:50He doesn't like the call.
38:51But how about the steal?
38:53Tajero not known for his defense, but able to come up with the deflection and steal.
38:59Donovan Mitchell saying to himself, finally able to knock down his first triple.
39:07One thing to keep in mind here is we hit the midway point of the quarter.
39:10GA both teams already are out of fouls, so that looms large.
39:15You see the line from Mitchell in a two-point game.
39:20Halliburton sets the table.
39:22Siakam misses the leaner.
39:24Cavs looking to push with Mobley.
39:29Reset Garland.
39:36Garland uses the Jerome screen, and he dribbled it off of his foot.
39:40Neesmith was there.
39:42Here comes Siakam.
39:46Neesmith to the wreck.
39:48Lays it in.
39:49What a sequence by Neesmith.
39:52The steal and then the lay-in.
39:55Four-point Pacers lead.
39:56And a great job of attacking the rim on that possession.
40:01And Darius Garland is really laboring right now.
40:06Double-double for Neesmith.
40:0813 points, 10 rebounds as we come up on five minutes left.
40:13And potentially Cleveland's season.
40:15Mitchell, deep shot.
40:18Donovan Mitchell trying to put this team on his back yet again.
40:2929 for Mitchell.
40:32Neesmith steps into a three.
40:34Too much.
40:35Turner offensive rebound.
40:39Halliburton, this is Nembhard, open three.
40:42He sticks it.
40:43And how about Turner coming up with that offensive rebound there that leads to the triple.
40:53Remember, Rick Carlisle challenged Siakam and Turner to rebound better after game three.
40:59And boy, have they answered the bell.
41:01Four-point lead.
41:02Jerome blocked by Halliburton.
41:04Halliburton on a push to the cut.
41:07Lays it out and in.
41:11Tyrese Halliburton at both ends.
41:15And he can give Indiana a seven-point lead.
41:20Jerome doesn't like the call, but definitely seemed like there was a little contact.
41:25But it's the block shot here by Halliburton that leads to the push out in transition.
41:34And you can see the slap down there.
41:36Huge play there from Halliburton.
41:42Before you just think of what a money player he has been over the last two postseasons in the big moments.
41:50The buzzer beater here to win game two.
41:54The clincher in the previous round against Milwaukee.
41:58And Halliburton trying to end the Cavs season here tonight.
42:01Mitchell into the paint.
42:03Tough bounce.
42:04Hunter on the attack.
42:07Turner was there.
42:08Loose ball one second.
42:10And they're not going to get it off.
42:13That's just another bad possession.
42:16I understand you want to make a play for your team,
42:19but Hunter had an opportunity to swing that for a wide-open three.
42:24Decided to attack the shot blocker.
42:27Miles Turner with his fifth block tonight.
42:31The second game in this series that Turner has five blocks.
42:41Just incredible.
42:44Pacers slow it down.
42:45Siakam.
42:47Jerome defending on the perimeter.
42:48Here he comes into the paint.
42:50Mobley.
42:51Siakam saves as his knee smithed.
42:54Off shot deep in the corner.
42:55Mobley clears.
42:56Off the floor, Hunter.
43:00Transition three.
43:02Well short.
43:03And again, Turner was there.
43:08Halliburton slows it down just for a moment.
43:10Going to get him reset as we come up on the final three minutes here in Cleveland.
43:15As that tension rises even more.
43:18Halliburton fires way off.
43:24Mitchell has it.
43:25This is a big possession here for the Cavs.
43:28They have got to get a score.
43:32Mobley picks up the dribble.
43:35Cavaliers with possession.
43:37Down seven.
43:38Mitchell.
43:39Mitchell.
43:39Out of fouls.
43:45Mitchell outside.
43:46Jerome.
43:49Mitchell loose ball.
43:50Boy, he misses point blank.
43:53And then they're going to get Struz.
43:54That's going to put Turner at the line.
43:57Boy, what a back-breaking sequence for the Cavaliers.
44:01They're down seven with 238 left potentially in their season.
44:06And the one loss for the Pacers.
44:16And how has this young man responded?
44:19Six made threes.
44:21He's been a difference maker defensively and just sets the tone consistently for the Pacers.
44:27And boy, has he delivered here tonight.
44:31The Indiana Pacers, with eight minutes left in the second quarter tonight, were down 19 points.
44:40They put together a 19-2 run in the third quarter to retake the lead.
44:45And now can they hold on here?
44:48Miles Turner to the free throw line.
44:49Up seven with 238 left.
44:52If you're Kenny Atkinson, what are you thinking about here down the stretch?
44:55They've got to score quickly.
44:58And then more importantly, if they can get some shots to fall, can they get stopped?
45:02They have struggled here.
45:04A lot of times when you try to get more aggressive defensively and you overextend, which is what they've done,
45:09you just open up passing lanes and driving lanes.
45:13And the Pacers have taken advantage.
45:15What a night.
45:18And the stars for this Indiana team are putting together.
45:2129 for Halliburton.
45:23Miles Turner, the big free throw.
45:31Six-point game.
45:33Only the second three tonight for Mitchell.
45:38This is going to be the key thing.
45:40You get stops.
45:45Siakam, six to shoot, the spin, the shot.
45:48Missed it.
45:49Rebound, Strews, and here we go.
45:53Inside of two minutes, here comes Mitchell.
45:57A couple of hard fakes.
45:59Neesmith not biting.
46:00Mitchell is fouled.
46:03Boy, he was beyond the three-point line as Ben Taylor makes the call.
46:08It'll be Mitchell to the line for three, and he can cut the deficit in half.
46:14Yeah, that easy call for the official, and Neesmith just got caught trying to aggressively close out, and credit Mitchell feeling that defender coming, and just launched a triple there to get to the line.
46:27Donovan Mitchell clearly laboring through that aggravated left ankle injury.
46:37Boy, he's missed a couple of critical free throws.
46:40He's now 15 of 19 at the stripe tonight.
46:43And these are giant misses with 149 left.
46:46And he's really struggled the entire series from the free throw line.
46:50He's gotten there consistently, but typically he shoots at about 86% on the season.
46:55He's been well below that here in this series.
46:58You can sense it now.
47:04The crowd just a little anxious.
47:10Boy, the fatigue.
47:12You just think of everything that's been on his shoulder.
47:20Just the incredible burden that he's had.
47:22He misses all three free throws.
47:25Unbelievable.
47:28That's harder to do than you would think for a guy at his level from the line.
47:35Here comes Halliburton.
47:36Turn back, Mobley.
47:40We're down at 90 seconds into the corner.
47:43Mitchell bounds at a three.
47:49Wow.
47:54Incredible.
47:55Incredible to knock that down after missing those three free throws.
48:00Donovan Mitchell playing on fused three-point game.
48:08Here comes Nembhard into the paint.
48:10A little bit of contact, and he is headed to the free throw line.
48:14Andrew Nembhard with a massive potential three-point play.
48:23Does a great job with a little dislodge, and then just strong enough to go up through contact.
48:30You can see the grab there, but Garland, if fans don't like it, that is a huge play for Nembhard.
48:40Hmm.
48:41Hmm.
48:461-0-7 left.
48:48Nembhard can make it a six-point game.
48:52Donovan Mitchell has hit the last 13 points for the Cavs.
49:03Here it comes again.
49:04Extends.
49:05Missed it.
49:06Siakam was there, and we're down to 55 seconds.
49:10Halliburton is fouled.
49:12He'll shoot free throws.
49:15And the Pacers can extend to an eight-point lead.
49:20And the Pacers have just been so good here, really, since that midway through the second quarter.
49:27They've been far more disciplined.
49:29They've just locked in defensively.
49:31And 56 seconds away from back-to-back Conference Finals.
49:41Can you think about their playoff run of the Conference Finals last year, their last three opportunities at a series-clinching win?
49:49They've won all three games.
49:53And they did it in the previous round against Milwaukee.
49:57Halliburton was the hero again.
49:59Can they finish the job here in game five?
50:06Garland down to 46 seconds.
50:09Hunter bump.
50:11Tires.
50:12Mobley hits.
50:15What a play by Mobley.
50:18With Cleveland running out of seconds, 43.7.
50:24And Mobley can cut it to five.
50:26Yeah, and just a little bit of a push there to get away with that one.
50:31And Mobley able to go up, gets control there, which is important on that put-back.
50:36Evan Mobley, 22 points, 11 rebounds.
50:41Boy, they have missed four straight free throws.
50:4736 seconds.
50:51Precious seconds coming off the clock.
50:54He's got it.
50:55You don't have to foul here, but you have got to come up with a stop.
51:00Five to shoot.
51:01Turner.
51:02He puts it down.
51:06Miles Turner with the biggest shot of his season.
51:11And Indiana is up nine.
51:13They've seen it, and they can taste it.
51:20Back-to-back conference finals are here for the taking.
51:26The season it has been for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
51:37Just think of everything this team accomplished.
51:39The championship expectations, 64 wins, second most in franchise history.
51:44Kenny Atkinson, the coach of the year.
51:47But, boy, that is all the furthest thing from their mind right at this moment.
51:49Yeah, there's no question.
51:51It is painful.
51:52You know, the expectations are so high, and you just couldn't get anything going from three.
51:59That's really kind of been the story of this series for the Cavs.
52:04They just have not had an ability to make threes.
52:07Nine of 35 here tonight, and the Indiana Pacers are heading back to the conference final.
52:14The Indiana Pacers, this resurgent, ascending franchise.
52:22has punched their ticket to the Eastern Conference Finals for a second straight year.
52:29They have eliminated the 64-win top seed in the East, the Cleveland Cavaliers,
52:36and they do it in five games by taking all three here in Cleveland.
52:43How impressive, and, you know, a lot of talk about last year.
52:47They got lucky.
52:49Things went their way.
52:51How sweet this has to feel.
52:53The validation.
52:55This team, the Pacers, are for real, folks.
52:59And they've got a legitimate chance to find themselves in the NBA Finals.
53:03Boy, what a crazy 24 hours in the NBA playoffs.
53:06You could have potentially two 60-plus-win teams out in the East before the semifinal round is over.
53:16Unbelievable.
53:16We'll see how that thing goes tomorrow with the Knicks having a chance to turn out the lights on Boston.
53:23What a performance by the Indiana Pacers.
53:27They win it, take the series in five, 114-105.
53:34Coming up next on TNT, Game 5, Denver and Oklahoma City.
53:39Special thanks to our amazing crew.
53:41Our producer, Aaron Banks, our director, Brent Christan, our technical director, Bob Krapko,
53:46A-1, Sean Kitchen, Tape Room, Bob Eaton, Sean Broussard, and Barrett Prenner, production manager,
53:53has been Michael Simmons, our statistician at the table, Rich Gaynor.
53:58Now for Greg Anthony, Jared Greenberg, rest of our crew, Spiro Ditas, and good night from Cleveland.
54:04You've been watching the NBA on TNT, exclusive home of the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals.
54:16We'll be right back in., got to talk to Bill注 Нач vamos.
54:21What's up next, Timatti?
54:23We'll be right back down and see you next time, we'll be right back.
54:26We'll be right back,近 normal health soon.
54:32You'll be right back.
54:34You'll be right back.
54:36You know, I'll be right back.