Cavs Face Steep Climb, But History Offers Slim Hope

May 7, 2025

The Cavaliers trail the Pacers 2-0 in their first-round series, and if you’re looking for signs of hope, you’ll need to dig deep — like 7.3% deep.

That’s the historical success rate for teams that have come back to win a series after losing the first two games. According to NBA data, only 34 teams have pulled off such a comeback in 459 tries. Yes, 34. Out of 459.

The Pacers themselves recently pulled it off, and just last postseason. But make no mistake, this is rare air.

The Cavs don’t need a miracle. But they’ll need urgency, resilience, and a whole new gear (and improved health) heading to Indianapolis. Because right now, the numbers — and the odds — are not on their side. Game 3 is Friday night.

“If you’re the Cavs, you have no choice but to keep believing. You did so much right during that game.”

–@AmicoHoops reacts after the Cavs devastating Game 2 loss against the Pacers pic.twitter.com/m9aNZ1If9Z

— BIGPLAY (@BIGPLAY) May 7, 2025

Also, just five teams have come back from a 2-0 deficit after losing the first two games at home. I’ll have a story on those teams later. For now, here’s a look at those that have overcome 2-0 deficits:

2024: The Indiana Pacers came back to beat the New York Knicks, 4-3, in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
2023: The Golden State Warriors defeated the Sacramento Kings, 4-3, in the Western Conference First Round.
2022: The Dallas Mavericks rallied past the Phoenix Suns, 4-3, in the Western Conference Semifinals.
2021: The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Phoenix Suns, 4-2, in the NBA Finals.
2021: The LA Clippers overcame the Utah Jazz, 4-2, in the Western Conference Semifinals.
2021: The Milwaukee Bucks edged the Brooklyn Nets, 4-3, in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
2021: The LA Clippers outlasted the Dallas Mavericks, 4-3, in the Western Conference First Round.
2019: The Toronto Raptors came back against the Milwaukee Bucks, 4-2, in the Eastern Conference Finals.
2018: The Cleveland Cavaliers rallied to beat the Boston Celtics, 4-3, in the Eastern Conference Finals.
2017: The Boston Celtics defeated the Chicago Bulls, 4-2, in the Eastern Conference First Round.
2016: The Cleveland Cavaliers came back against the Golden State Warriors, 4-3, in the NBA Finals.
2016: The Portland Trail Blazers beat the LA Clippers, 4-2, in the Western Conference First Round.
2013: The Memphis Grizzlies beat the LA Clippers, 4-2, in the Western Conference First Round.
2012: The Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the San Antonio Spurs, 4-2, in the Western Conference Finals.
2008: The San Antonio Spurs edged the New Orleans Hornets, 4-3, in the Western Conference Semifinals.
2007: The Cleveland Cavaliers came back against the Detroit Pistons, 4-2, in the Eastern Conference Finals.
2007: The Utah Jazz beat the Houston Rockets, 4-3, in the Western Conference First Round.
2006: The Miami Heat rallied to defeat the Dallas Mavericks, 4-2, in the NBA Finals.
2005: The Washington Wizards beat the Chicago Bulls, 4-2, in the Eastern Conference First Round.
2005: The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Houston Rockets, 4-3, in the Western Conference First Round.
2004: The LA Lakers came back to beat the San Antonio Spurs, 4-2, in the Western Conference Semifinals.
2001: The Dallas Mavericks defeated the Utah Jazz, 3-2, in the Western Conference First Round.
1995: The Houston Rockets came back against the Phoenix Suns, 4-3, in the Western Conference Semifinals.
1994: The Houston Rockets beat the Phoenix Suns again, 4-3, in the Western Conference Semifinals.
1994: The Denver Nuggets stunned the Seattle Supersonics, 3-2, in the Western Conference First Round.
1993: The Chicago Bulls beat the New York Knicks, 4-2, in the Eastern Conference Finals.
1993: The Phoenix Suns defeated the LA Lakers, 3-2, in the Western Conference First Round.
1990: The New York Knicks came back to beat the Boston Celtics, 3-2, in the Eastern Conference First Round.
1987: The Golden State Warriors defeated the Utah Jazz, 3-2, in the Western Conference First Round.
1977: The Portland Trail Blazers rallied to beat the Philadelphia 76ers, 4-2, in the NBA Finals.
1971: The Washington Bullets edged the New York Knicks, 4-3, in the Eastern Conference Finals.
1969: The Boston Celtics defeated the LA Lakers, 4-3, in the NBA Finals.
1969: The LA Lakers beat the San Francisco Warriors, 4-2, in the Western Division Semifinals.
1956: The Fort Wayne Pistons came back against the St. Louis Hawks, 3-2, in the Western Division Finals.