Indiana Pacers stun Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 despite Donovan Mitchell breaking Michael Jordan playoff record

The Indiana Pacers stunned the Cleveland Cavaliers on the road 121-112 to take Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Sunday night.

The Indiana Pacers stunned the Cleveland Cavaliers on the road 121-112 to take Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Sunday night. Indiana raced out to an 11-point advantage at the end of the first quarter and held a lead for the majority of the game. It wasn’t until the Pacers led by 12 midway through the third quarter after an Aaron Nesmith three-pointer that the Cavaliers began to rally. But after clawing back the deficit and taking the lead, the Cavs came up against an inspired Tyrese Haliburton down the stretch. The guard led the Pacers on a 20-10 run to close the game, including a clutch three-pointer – only his second on six attempts on the night – and a crucial block. “We’re definitely the heavy underdog, but we’re trying to control what we can,” Haliburton said, per the Associated Press. “It gives us a lot of momentum for sure, but this is the best team in our conference. They don’t lose much.” Haliburton finished with 22 points, 13 assists, three rebounds, three blocks and a steal in an all-around performance, while all five of Indiana’s starters, plus Bennedict Mathurin off the bench, scored in double figures. Andrew Nembhard had a team-high 23 for Indiana, including five-of-six from three-point range, to go with six assists.