The Indiana Pacers stunned the Cleveland Cavaliers in their playoff opener, and now they’re looking to take a commanding 2-0 lead on the road Tuesday night.
Cleveland enters as heavy 9-point favorites despite dropping Game 1 at home in surprising fashion.
Tyrese Haliburton and the sixth-seeded Pacers aim to build on their momentum after their impressive 121-112 victory on Sunday.
"It’s one game, yeah we lost home-court advantage, but it’s one game," said Donovan Mitchell, who poured in 33 points for Cleveland in the loss. "We didn’t play our best basketball. We’ve got to play better. We’ve got to execute, and I have no doubt we will."
The Cavaliers are dealing with a wave of injuries that could seriously impact Game 2.
Darius Garland (toe), Evan Mobley (ankle), and De’Andre Hunter (thumb) are all questionable for Tuesday’s matchup. Coach Kenny Atkinson expressed "real concern" about whether Mobley and Hunter would be available.
Mobley hurt his left ankle on a jump shot during the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game, while Hunter dislocated his thumb when Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin blocked his layup attempt.
Garland has already missed three straight playoff games with his toe injury.
Despite these setbacks, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle isn’t taking anything for granted.
"Certainly, Garland is going to be back in this one, probably sooner than later," Carlisle said. "They’re very good at what they do. They’ll adjust."
Haliburton was brilliant in Game 1, finishing with 22 points, 13 assists, and 3 blocks. Myles Turner added a solid double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds, plus 3 steals and 2 blocks.
The Pacers have been Cleveland’s kryptonite lately, winning 4 of their last 5 meetings.
Meanwhile, the top-seeded Cavs have struggled in May, going just 1-5 in their last six games during the month.
According to ESPN’s Basketball Power Index, Cleveland still has a 58.5% chance of evening the series Tuesday night.
Game 2 Info
Tip-off: Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at 7 p.m. ET
Location: Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio
TV: TNT, truTV
Live Stream: Jazz Sports
Odds: Pacers +9 (-115) | Cavaliers -9 (-105)
Injury Report
Indiana Pacers:
Isaiah Jackson (Achilles) – out for the season
Cleveland Cavaliers:
De’Andre Hunter (thumb) – questionable
Darius Garland (toe) – questionable
Evan Mobley (ankle) – questionable
