Cleveland Cavaliers Avoid a Fourth Quarter Indiana Pacers Rally, Win 117-111
Despite a fourth quarter rally with the Indiana Pacers going on a 10-0 run, the Cleveland Cavaliers wiggle their way out and come out with game 2 win.
The Cavaliers big three each had a stellar performance: LeBron James with 25 points, Kevin Love with 27 points and Kyrie Irving with 35 points.
Paul George also had a great game scoring 32 points, along with Jeff Teague’s 23 and 13 points from Lance Stephenson off the bench.
The Pacers seem to be losing steam as they had a considerably bad game compared to game 1 where they put the Cavaliers on their heels. Tonight, Indiana wasn’t as aggressive in the paint and missed many crucial layups in which they should have made.
Stephenson lost control over his emotions, especially in the third quarter where the Cavaliers outscored the Pacers 33-20 and ended with Irving nailing a 3-pointer right over Stephenson’s head. Once the shot was made, Irving was running his mouth towards Stephenson, punctuating the shot he made.
Irving had his second best playoff game tonight, his first being when he dropped 41 points against the Golden State Warriors in Game 5 of last year’s finals. In addition, the Cavaliers are now 7-0 when the big three each score 20 points or more.
14 of George’s 32 came in the fourth quarter when the Pacers closed the gap to only a 4 point deficit – as the Pacers outscored the Cavaliers 33-21 in the fourth. However, it was not enough.
After tonight’s loss, the teams travel back to Indiana where game 3 will be held. Now is their chance to get their first win of the series.
Series: 2-0 Cleveland