The Cleveland Cavaliers find themselves in a tough spot after dropping Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals to the Indiana Pacers, 121-11, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Despite a strong regular season, the Cavs are now 1-4 against the Pacers this year and have lost home-court advantage in the series
Donovan Mitchell led Cleveland with 33 points but struggled from deep, hitting just 1 of 11 three-point attempts. Jarrett Allen contributed 10 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists, but the Cavs’ All-Stars couldn’t overcome Indiana’s balanced attack Darius Garland was sidelined, leaving Cleveland’s backcourt shorthanded.
For Indiana, Myles Turner posted 15 points and 4 rebounds, while Aaron Nesmith added 8 points and a three-pointer, helping the Pacers seize momentum early. Andrew Nembhard and Tyrese Haliburton also played key roles, with Haliburton tallying 22 points and 13 assists in Game 1
Cleveland’s defense, anchored by Allen, will need to step up to contain Turner and Nesmith, especially as the series shifts to Indianapolis. With the Pacers’ confidence rising and the Cavs’ stars searching for answers, Game 2 is shaping up to be a must-win for Cleveland
