Tyrese Haliburton Shines as Pacers Upset Cavaliers, Advance to Eastern Conference Finals!

The Indiana Pacers made a stunning move by eliminating the No. 1 seed, the Cleveland Cavaliers, with a 114-105 victory in Game 5 of the 2025 NBA playoffs. This win secured the Pacers a spot in the Eastern Conference finals for the second year in a row. They will now face either the Boston Celtics or the New York Knicks for a chance to reach the NBA Finals.

The Cavaliers had a strong regular season, finishing with 64 wins, their second-best in franchise history. Despite this, their playoff journey fell short of expectations. Injuries plagued key players, like Darius Garland, who struggled with a sprained toe, and Donovan Mitchell, who played through an ankle injury. Mitchell managed to score 35 points in Game 5 but shot just 32% from the field.

On the other hand, the Pacers started the series strong, winning two close games on the road before a dominant Game 4. They led by 41 points at halftime, tying an NBA playoff record. Tyrese Haliburton shone in Game 5, scoring 31 points with eight assists and six rebounds.

Interestingly, the Cavaliers had easily swept the Miami Heat in the first round, outscoring them by 122 points across four games. However, their dominance didn’t carry into the next round.

Series Results

• Game 1: Pacers 121, Cavaliers 112
• Game 2: Pacers 120, Cavaliers 119
• Game 3: Cavaliers 126, Pacers 104
• Game 4: Pacers 129, Cavaliers 109
• Game 5: Pacers 114, Cavaliers 105 (Pacers win series, 4-1)

Recent Insights

This year, the NBA Playoffs have seen immense competition. According to a recent survey by the NBA, fan engagement is at an all-time high, with social media conversations hitting record levels. Fans are buzzing about the Pacers’ strong performance and how they’re defying expectations.

Social media reactions showcase a mix of surprise and excitement. Many users flooded platforms like Twitter to share their thoughts. Pacers fans are celebrating, while Cavaliers supporters express frustration over the injuries that hampered their team’s performance.

As the playoffs continue, the spotlight will shift to how the Pacers handle the pressure in the Eastern Conference finals, especially considering their recent success and the injuries affecting their opponents.

For the latest updates, you can check trusted sports sources like NBA.com for real-time statistics and insights.

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