Unpacking the Cavs’ Stunning Victory: Insights from Pacers’ Coach Rick Carlisle – Terry Pluto’s Exclusive Analysis

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Cleveland Cavaliers showed their fight in Game 3 against the Indiana Pacers, winning 126-104. This victory keeps hope alive as the Cavs trail the series 2-1. Historically, no team has come back from an 0-3 deficit in the NBA playoffs, but the Cavs are ready to change that.

The Game’s Tone

After the win, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle noted how Cleveland played with urgency. “They played the way they needed to play,” he said. The Cavs opened the game strong, jumping to an 11-0 lead, which shook the Indiana crowd. Even so, the Pacers battled back to tie it by the end of the first quarter.

A Tactical Shift

The game really turned in the second quarter. Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson adjusted his team’s strategy to a 3-2 zone defense, with the impressive Evan Mobley leading the way. Once Mobley felt his sprained ankle was okay, he took control on both ends. The Cavs outscored the Pacers 34-13 in that quarter, leaving Indiana struggling to find their rhythm.

Carlisle had to admit, “We’ve seen about every zone there is to see… We’ll adjust.” However, few teams can match the defensive skills of both Mobley and Jarrett Allen, who dominated the boards.

Star Performers

Mobley, who just turned 23, was compared to Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon by Carlisle. “He’s the Defensive Player of the Year,” Carlisle praised. After missing a previous game, Mobley came back strong with 18 points, 13 rebounds, and a range of defensive plays that were impressive.

Allen also made his mark, contributing 19 points and 12 rebounds. The Cavs’ rebounding dominance was evident: they pulled down 56 boards compared to Indiana’s 37.

Defensive Focus on Haliburton

To limit Indiana’s star Tyrese Haliburton, Max Strus shadowed him closely. Haliburton, an All-Star, had a quiet night, scoring just 4 points on 2-of-8 shooting. Carlisle acknowledged the need to involve him more, hoping to get him better looks in upcoming games.

Mitchell’s Scoring

Donovan Mitchell stole the spotlight with a stunning 43-point game. He grabbed nine rebounds and made significant plays. After struggling with his long-range shooting earlier in the series, he improved to 5-for-13 from three-point range in this game.

Mitchell, however, remains grounded. “We haven’t done anything,” he said. “We won one game. We’ve got to do it again.”

What’s Next?

Cleveland will take this momentum into Game 4 in Indiana. The Cavs need to maintain their defensive intensity and offensive rhythm if they want to tie the series. As Carlisle noted, “Playoff series are long…lots of new storylines every game.” With the pressure rising, the stakes couldn’t be higher for both teams.

This playoff matchup offers plenty of drama and intensity, making it a thrilling story as it unfolds. For more on NBA playoffs, click here.

Source link