The Cleveland Cavaliers were favorites to win their Eastern Conference Semifinals matchup over the Indian Pacers heading into the series. Instead, the Pacers produced two stunning finishes on the road to grab a 2-0 lead. It meant the 64-win Cavaliers faced a must-win in Indiana to keep the season alive and avoid the dreaded 0-3 deficit. On the other hand, the Oklahoma City Thunder headed into Game 3 on high after responding to their Game 1 loss with a 43-point victory in Game 2. So, how would the top two teams in the regular season fare in Game 3 on Friday night? In this article, we will detail how the Cavaliers clawed their way back into the series and the Nuggets outlasted the Thunder in overtime.
Cleveland Cavaliers 126- Indiana Pacers 104
The big headline heading into the game was how the Cavaliers collapsed at home in back-to-back games. However, in defense of the Cavaliers, the team missed key rotational pieces due to injury. In Game 3, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and De’Andre Hunter were all cleared to play, and it made a big difference, propelling Cleveland to an important victory. The trio dug deep to play because their status for the game was determined in pre-game workouts an hour before the matchup. The continuity of having their five regular starters was key, with a plus-27 in 14 minutes when Garland, Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus, Mobley, and Jarrett Allen were on the floor. Mitchell delivered a virtuoso performance in keeping his team alive, scoring 43 points, nine rebounds, and five assists.
Cavaliers Coach Kenny Atkinson stated about Mitchell, “I thought he was masterful. I don’t use that word hardly ever. He was masterful in the way he controlled the game-passing, making the right decision, and defending. Probably, for me, best performance of the year.” Mobley, the Defensive Player of the Year, posted 18 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, three steals, and three blocks. The USC Alum presence was big in the paint, and the Pacers had to attack with more trepidation at the rim. On the other hand, it was a tough night for Tyrese Haliburton, who made the game winner in Game 2. Haliburton scored only 4 points and made five assists in 30 minutes on the court. The Cavaliers stayed alive, but they can expect a stiffer test on Sunday when the Pacers refocus their effort on staying ahead in this series.
Denver Nuggets 113- Oklahoma City Thunder 104 Overtime
After getting trounced by over 40 points in Game 2, the Nuggets did not overreact. They had accomplished their goal of winning 1 of the road matchups in the series. In Game 3, the expectation was that the battle between MVP Candidates Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander would determine who wins the pivotal game. Instead, both superstar players struggled offensively to impact the game. Jokic, the three-time regular-season MVP, endured one of his worst offensive performances in his career. The Serbian scored 20 points on 8-of-25 shooting, missing all 10 three-point attempts, and committing a playoff career worst eight turnovers.
Moreover, Gilgreous-Alexander had a tough offensive performance, scoring 18 points, shooting 7 of 22 from the field, 1 of 8 in the fourth quarter, and did not attempt a shot in overtime. Thankfully, Jalen Williams had a bounce-back performance, scoring a playoff-high 32 points, including 16 in the fourth quarter. It included a 3-pointer that put Oklahoma City ahead with 1:50 remaining in regulation and a pair of free throws that led to a three-point lead. However, the Nuggets later tied the game, and Jokic had the opportunity to end the game in regulation but missed the jump shot. The Nuggets dominated the Thunder in overtime by outscoring them 11-2 for the crucial 2-1 lead in the series. In this see-saw series, who knows what will happen on Sunday in Game 4? Stay tuned.