Cavs Stunned By Pacers On Last-Second Shot, Fall Into 2-0 Series Hole

CLEVELAND — For 47 minutes or more, the Cavaliers were relentless. It was only the final moments that did them in.

And it’s still stunning.

Final score: Pacers 120, Cavaliers 119, after a 3-pointer by Tyrese Haliburton just before the final buzzer.

The Cavs once led by 20. They received an amazing 48 points from Donovan Mitchell. Their defense was fantastic most of the night. But without the injured Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and De’Andre Hunter, it was just too much. Eventually, the Pacers were able to wear them down.

“I just think we ran out of gas,” coach Kenny Atkinson said. “They upped their level of physicality. But, that’s the playoffs.”

Yes, there were some incredibly questionable calls from officials. But the Cavs just couldn’t get a basket when they needed one most. Instead, they turned the ball over on an inbounds and missed a box out in the game’s most critical moments.

Now, they trail the series by 2-0 count with the next two games in Indiana. Not ideal.

Mitchell was completely spent at the end, refusing to settle for jumpers and getting his buckets off dunks, drives and finishes at the rim. He had absolutely nothing left.

Max Strus was fantastic on his way to 23 points. Jarrett Allen incredible with 22 points and 12 rebounds. Sam Merrill (14 points) did everything he could. Everyone played their tails off.

But at some point, not having three of your top players will cost you. For most of this one, it looked like the Cavs would survive.

Then came the final play. It’s still hard to believe — but this is where the Cavs are today.

Their greatest test awaits. And all they can do is take it one at a time, chip away, and hope they can get healthy, and fast. Time, it seems, is running out. But as it stands, this otherwise remarkable season has been about three seconds too long.