CLEVELAND — It was a remarkable regular season, a year full of high hopes and franchise records.
But it ended the exact same way it did last year, in the second round of the playoffs — courtesy of Tuesday’s Game 5 loss to the visiting Indiana Pacers, the 114-105.
The story of 2024-25, or most of it, was the Cavs’ versatility and shot quality, but it deserted them in this series. Boy, did it ever. And perhaps none more than it did in this game — where the Cavaliers went a miserable 35-of-90 from the field. That included a bricklaying 9-of-35 on 3-pointers.
Mostly, though, the underrated Pacers were just a terrible matchup, their overall speed, size, and elite shotmaking mirroring that of Cleveland. Indiana just did it noticeably better in four of the five games.
Now, it will be on to an offseason of major questions, trade rumors, and what-could-have-beens. This is just the way the NBA operates.
Donovan Mitchell played his final game of the year on a battered ankle, Darius Garland on a sprained big toe. And that may not even come close to describing the pain they’re likely feeling today.
Mitchell went for 35 points, but was just 8-of-25 shooting. Garland was 4-of-16 from the field. Evan Mobley was dynamite with 24 points and 11 rebounds … but man, it just wasn’t enough.
Not in a series where the Cavs looked overmatched, and dazed and confused by the Pacers’ physical defense and forever-clicking offense.
You won’t win games in the second round of the playoffs, ever, with those numbers.
So on to the offseason, where the questions will begin and the answers won’t be so easy. A great year?
On one hand, the Cavs gave their fans eight months of fun. That should count for something. Still, though, the feeling at the end is empty yet again.
I’ll have much more in Dribbles later.
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Gee, I can’t wait to hear the excuses after this major choke job. Outplayed, out hustled, and most of all out coached. You can now add G2 to the list of the Shot, Drive, Fumble and other assortment of bad juju in Cleveland sports. Blowing that lead in G2 was the turning point and downfall in the series. This one sucks worse than the Knicks beatdown 2 years ago.
SAID IT WELL JOSEPH !
Trade Darius and Okoro & get Markkenen back…. extra REAL bigs that can relieve each other & still keep rim protection While adding more 3pt shooting(that defenders won’t block).
Hunter & Jerome’s 3pt shooting will return,,,, Garland will still be a turnover machine. Mitchell will always be gutty & strong. Strus ??? Need bigger faster next season. Garland’s almost always chasing his man down the lane after a blow by & that’s when he HAS A GOOD BIG TOE.
Oh, Joseph,,,,, I know that Drive & Fumble was about the Football games, but didn’t
Garland just do exactly that in the 4th qtr, when there was a 1 point difference !?
DR, yes he was a turnover machine this series when he actually played. The bad news is Utah would probably turn that trade down. Too much iso ball when Darius is on the floor. No ball movement and poor shooting all around.