Donovan Mitchell electrified the Cleveland crowd with a thunderous poster dunk early in Game 2 against the Indiana Pacers, setting the tone as the Cavaliers fought to even their playoff series. Mitchell poured in 21 points by halftime, including the highlight-reel slam over Pacers forward Pascal Siakam, pushing the Cavs to an 11-point lead at the break
Max Strus joined the action in the third quarter, surprising fans with his own one-handed fast-break dunk-drawing comparisons to Mitchell’s athleticism and giving Cleveland an 81-61 cushion midway through the third Strus finished the night with 16 points, showing his value as a secondary scorer and energizer.
After a disappointing Game 1 loss, Mitchell’s aggressive start and Strus’s all-around play (averaging 11 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists in the playoffs) highlighted the Cavs’ urgency to avoid falling behind 0-2 in the series With key players sidelined due to injury, Cleveland leaned heavily on its stars to counter the Pacers’ balanced attack.
As the series shifts, all eyes remain on whether Mitchell and Strus can sustain their momentum-and if the Pacers can find an answer to Cleveland’s resurgent energy.
