Pacers Win and Take 3-1 Lead: Closer to Conference Final

The Indiana Pacers showcased a remarkable performance as they overcame the early ejection of guard Bennedict Mathurin, clinching a decisive victory against the Cleveland Cavaliers with a score of 129-109 in Game 4 of their NBA Eastern Conference semi-final series. The victory propelled the Pacers to a commanding 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven matchup.

Matters took a surprising turn when Mathurin was ejected from the game with just four minutes and 32 seconds remaining in the opening quarter due to an altercation where he threw a punch to the chest of De’Andre Hunter. At the time of the ejection, the Pacers were already establishing their dominance, leading the Cavaliers 22-10. They extended their lead to 38-23 by the end of the first quarter and then stunned their opponents by outscoring them 42-16 in the second quarter, creating an astonishing 80-39 advantage at halftime. This impressive scoring spree marked a new franchise play-off record for the Pacers, raising the bar for offensive performance in a half.

Pascal Siakam led the scoring for the Pacers with 21 points, while Myles Turner and Obi Toppin contributed significantly with 20 points each. This victory was especially significant as it followed a heavy 126-104 loss they suffered in Game 3, indicating the team’s resilience and ability to bounce back under pressure. Turner expressed confidence in his team’s capacity to thrive amid adversity, stating, “This is a group that plays better through adversity. We got punched in the mouth last game, we had a hell of a response. The starters set the tone, and the bench picked it up the rest of the game.”

The Cavaliers faced their own challenges as they lost star player Donovan Mitchell, a six-time All-Star, to an ankle injury during the second half. His absence proved crucial, and the team is now awaiting the results of an MRI scan scheduled for Monday, which will determine if he can participate in the pivotal Game 5 on Wednesday.

In other playoff action, the Oklahoma City Thunder managed to edge past the Denver Nuggets with a close score of 92-87, leveling their series at 2-2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander emerged as the standout performer, scoring 25 points while also contributing six rebounds and six assists. On the opposing side, NBA Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic recorded a formidable performance with 27 points and 13 rebounds but couldn’t secure a win for Denver.

The intensity of the matchup was palpable as both teams played just 38 hours after the Nuggets’ overtime victory in Game 3, leading to noticeable fatigue. Nuggets coach David Adelman was candid in his assessment, describing the game as a “really disgusting basketball game” while acknowledging Oklahoma City’s effort in executing critical plays that ultimately led to their victory.

As the series continues, the Thunder will host Game 5 on Wednesday at 02:30 BST, setting the stage for what promises to be another thrilling contest in this highly competitive playoff series.