Cavs Draw Blanks, Struggle to Defend Perimeter in Dropping Game 1 to Pacers

May 4, 2025

CLEVELAND — It really was all about the first quarter.

The Pacers came out on fire, the Cavaliers did not. In fact, the Cavs never really heated up in dropping Game 1 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series by a 121-112 count.

Without All-Star point guard Darius Garland, the Cavs’ efficiency was streaky, at best. Garland missed his third straight game with a sprained big toe and his absence was felt right away.

While the Pacers were knocking down 3-pointer after 3-pointer, the Cavs had to scrap for everything. They trailed by 11 after one quarter (36-25), then had to spend the rest of the evening trying to keep … well, pace.

It was not to be.

“I think we finally figured it out. But in the beginning they had us in a blender,” coach Kenny Atkinson said. “Their shot-making was otherworldly. So give them credit.”

For Game 2 and beyond to go any better, the Cavs will need two things:

1). Garland.
2). To clean up the perimeter defense.

They did the latter in the second half. But by then, the damage was mostly done.

That said, they were able to battle back and even take some small leads, thanks mostly to the utter offensive determination of Donovan Mitchell. He’s now scored 30 or more in eight straight Game 1s, overtaking Michael Jordan for the NBA record.

Mitchell finished with 33, and he would undoubtedly give at least 29 of them back for a win.

As it stands, the Cavs trail this best-of-seven series, 1-0, and will need to get a game at Indiana for a return of homecourt advantage.

Game 2 on Tuesday at Rocket Arena is where it must begin, though.

A lot of things will have to change in that one. The Cavs, it’s widely believed, are the better team. But know they’re the team that has the most ground to make up, too.

“We’ll bounce back,” Atkinson said. “Gotta win four (to win the series).”

Ty Jerome and Evan Mobley added 21 and 20 points for Cleveland, respectively, with Mobley pulling down 10 rebounds.

Indiana received 23 points from Andrew Nembhard and 22 points and 13 assists from Tyrese Haliburton. The latter really controlled the tempo and that’s not something that can happen again for the Cavs to get out of this alive.

The Pacers finished a sizzling 19-of-36 on threes. The Cavs were an ice-cold 9-of-38.