The Cleveland Cavaliers finally got on the scoreboard and shed the pressure of their previous losses by securing a crucial Game 3 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Friday night, May 9, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Despite the win, Indiana still holds a 2-1 lead in the series.
While the return of key players Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and De’Andre Hunter—who all missed Game 2 due to injury—was a boost for Cleveland, the team has little reason to celebrate just yet.
The Cavaliers remain behind in the series, have yet to reclaim home-court advantage, and face a daunting path ahead. If they drop Game 4 on Sunday, they’ll be forced to win three straight games against a dangerous Pacers squad to reach the Eastern Conference Finals, where either the Knicks or Celtics await.
Cleveland star Donovan Mitchell, who scored 43 points in the Game 3 win, emphasized this reality in an interview with ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt on SportsCenter:
“We accomplished one goal tonight, but the job’s not finished,” Mitchell said, clearly aiming his message at both fans and teammates.
Following their dominant 22-point win in Indianapolis, the Cavaliers opened as 4.5-point favorites for Game 4, according to ESPN BET. Confidence in Cleveland quickly surged, pushing the line to -5.5 within hours.