John Wall and Dennis Scott break down how Indiana took advantage of the Cavs late in Game 2 to take a 2-0 series lead back home.
There was a moment in the Cavaliers-Pacers game Tuesday when the Cleveland fans chanted “overrated” at Tyrese Haliburton as he prepared to shoot free throws.
Donovan Mitchell did a classy thing: He gestured for them to stop.
Then Haliburton made them stop and later eat those words just before the buzzer by essentially saying: Overrate this.
As in the game-winning shot.
As in: Putting the East’s top seed in some serious trouble.
In a game the Pacers had no business losing — the Cavs were missing three important rotational players — then had no business winning after falling behind by 20 points and trailing virtually the entire game, Indiana was sensational when it counted.
These NBA playoffs are getting more insane by the night.
This outcome flipped in the final frantic seconds — the Pacers trailed by seven with 47 seconds left — and Haliburton’s 3-point hoop allowed the Pacers to seize a 2-0 lead … while going home for the next two games.
Here are five takeaways from a thrilling, head-scratching, wild 120-119 victory for Indiana in Game 2:
1. Hali had to have it (again)
He was being out-starred all night by Mitchell — more on him in a minute — and was pressed into duty because the Pacers craved a savior in the moment of truth. They hung around after trailing by 20 points, and down 17 after the first quarter, and 11 at halftime.
Suddenly, it was a three-point game with 27 seconds left. And the Cavs’ Max Strus threw a lazy pass in which Andrew Nembhard intercepted. Indy ball.
If you remember, wasn’t it Haliburton who dashed to the hoop against the Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo, dropped a reverse layup and then jumped on the scorer’s table to celebrate a shocking come-from-behind win the previous round?
This time, his heroics went against any script. He was fouled and missed the first free throw with 12 seconds left. He missed the second one and his offensive rebound was almost as impressive as what came next — sizing up Ty Jerome and then creating space to drop the game-winner.
TYRESE HALIBURTON WINS GAME 2 FOR THE PACERS 😱🤯
WHAT. A. WILD. PLAY. pic.twitter.com/rFsjZmtrBz
— NBA (@NBA) May 7, 2025
Also, Haliburton played the second half with a throbbing left hand, which he slightly injured in the second quarter. Yet that hand must’ve felt good on the 3-pointer.
After playing the hero and wearing the cape for the second time in a week, this much we know: Haliburton is now properly and more accurately rated.
2. Mitchell masterclass
There have been times when Mitchell, during his career, looked like an MVP contender, most famously when he sizzled while dropping 50-pieces in the Disney bubble in 2020.
This latest next-level effort was necessary given the circumstances, and Mitchell accepted the assignment. The Cavs were short-handed but not short a franchise player against the Pacers. He took 18 shots in the first half, his most in a half this season. That alone revealed his mindset.
All told, Mitchell ripped through the Pacers’ defense — most emphatically with a facial dunk on Pascal Siakam — for 48 points and nine assists. Whenever the Cavs needed a bucket or just someone to keep the Pacers on their heels, Mitchell was elected, and really, there was no other worthy candidate.
But the longer this game went and the more the lead shrank, it was apparent the Cavaliers needed more than Mitchell. However …
3. Cavs missing not just too much, but three much
Remove three prime rotational players, one of whom is a 2025 major award winner, from any of the remaining playoff teams. How many will win that game?
Well, not the Cavs and probably not anyone. At least the Cavs had a shot until they crumbled in the clutch.
No Evan Mobley, the Kia Defensive Player of the Year. No De’Andre Hunter, fourth in the Sixth Man Award voting. No Darius Garland, their second-leading scorer. All missing from Game 2 with injuries.
And no squaring up this second-round series.
The Cavs can’t afford players missing more games. Garland has missed four consecutive playoff games with a problematic big toe. Mobley, who has a sprained left ankle, is their best defender and perhaps would’ve snatched that rebound away from Haliburton. Hunter (thumb) could’ve fortified a bench that saw Jerome go chilly, shooting 1-for-14 and scoring just two points.
The No. 1 seed is shook right now.
4. Nesmith was nasty
The turning point was perhaps when Siakam, who struggled much of the night, was at the free-throw line for the second of two shots, Pacers down seven, 48 seconds left.
He missed. Bad news.
Then, better news. Aaron Nesmith rushed in from the top of the key — with Mitchell pulling his jersey — and dunked the miss. After that, the Cavs didn’t score another point, and didn’t even cross the mid-court line with the ball. After that, the Pacers got every loose ball and made every necessary play.
After that, Haliburton had his chance to steal one.
Nesmith was quietly solid in this game, with 23 points and three blocks. He essentially took over the role usually held by Siakam, who for some reason was the reverse of Mitchell — he was meek. Siakam took only eight shots and was a non-factor.
5. Can Cavs crawl back?
That’s the big question here. Only five teams in NBA history have rallied to win a series after losing the first two at home. It’s the first time the Cavs have faced adversity all season.
Remember, they went scorched Earth at the start, going 15-0. They added a 16-game streak and a 12-gamer. They won 64 games. They took the top seed. They set some team records that eluded those LeBron James-led teams.
Oh — and they opened the playoffs by sweeping the Miami Heat.
They went 30-11 on the road which is of some comfort as they head to Indianapolis but those regular-season goodies don’t really matter much now. The Cavs must now save a season that was special. And it’ll require a special effort — from more than just Donovan Mitchell.
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Shaun Powell has covered the NBA for more than 25 years. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on X.
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