Cleveland Cavaliers Desperate to Save Season Ahead of Game 3 Against Pacers

The Cleveland Cavaliers head to Indiana under pressure after letting a big lead slip in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. They now trail the Indiana Pacers 0-2 in the best-of-seven series.

This is a surprising position for the Cavaliers, who had high hopes after winning 64 games in the regular season and sweeping the Miami Heat in the first round. Now, they are fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Game 3 Details – How to Watch

• Date: Friday, 9 May

• Time: 7:30 p.m. EST

• Venue: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis

• TV: ESPN

• Radio: 100.7 WMMS

• Betting odds: Cavaliers favoured by 2.5 points

• Over/under: 229.5 total points

Round 2 Schedule

• Game 1: Sunday, 4 May – Cavs lost 121-112 (at Rocket Arena)

• Game 2: Tuesday, 6 May – Cavs lost 120-119 (at Rocket Arena)

• Game 3: Friday, 9 May – 7:30 p.m. in Indiana

• Game 4: Sunday, 11 May – 8 p.m. in Indiana

• Game 5 (if needed): Tuesday, 13 May – TBD in Cleveland

• Game 6 (if needed): Thursday, 15 May – TBD in Indiana

• Game 7 (if needed): Sunday, 18 May – TBD in Cleveland

Game 3 Preview

Cleveland were shocked in Game 2 when Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton scored a clutch 3-pointer with just 1.1 seconds left. The Pacers closed the game by scoring the final eight points in under 48 seconds to win 120-119.

The Cavs had led by 20 points and were in control for most of the night. But a poor fourth quarter, where they were outscored 36-21, allowed the game — and possibly the series — to slip away.

Donovan Mitchell was brilliant, scoring 48 points and adding 9 assists, but looked tired in the final minutes.

Cleveland were without three key players:

• Evan Mobley (ankle)

• Darius Garland (toe)

• De’Andre Hunter (thumb)

Mobley and Hunter were injured in Game 1. Garland has now missed four straight playoff games.

With the Cavs trailing 0-2, they must bounce back quickly in Game 3. Although they have had some extra rest, history is not on their side — only 7.3% of NBA teams down 0-2 have come back to win a series. In Conference Semifinals, that number is just 6.8%.

To avoid falling 0-3 behind, the Cavs must get more support for Mitchell, tighten their defence, and hopefully welcome back some of their injured players.

Cleveland entered the playoffs as the top seed in the East. Another defeat on Friday would leave them on the edge of elimination — and spark serious questions about what has gone wrong.