Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Indiana Pacers 2025 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals covers their playoff series, focusing on the Cavaliers’ Game 3 win and the ongoing battle. Below is a 600-word explanation in plain language about the game, the players and what’s coming next, using information from recent coverage.
On May 9, 2025, the top-ranked Cleveland Cavaliers pulled off a tight 118-115 win over the fourth-seeded Indiana Pacers in Game 3, played in Indianapolis. Donovan Mitchell, fresh off a 48-point explosion in Game 2, remains the Cavaliers’ leading force and most impactful player. Cleveland also benefited from the return of three key players — Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and De’Andre Hunter — all back from injury. Their presence helped the Cavs slow down Indiana’s fast-tempo offense and regain control.
That surge built a comfortable lead the Cavs managed to protect, even as Indiana rallied late. Evan Mobley turned in a strong two-way performance, finishing with 18 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks, and 3 steals, while controlling the paint and limiting Indiana’s effectiveness near the rim.. Garland, making his series debut, added 10 points and 3 assists, while Hunter contributed 8 points and 5 rebounds off the bench. With their roster back at full strength, the Cavaliers looked like the dominant team that won 64 games in the regular season.
Indiana stayed strong despite the loss. Tyrese Haliburton, who hit the game-winning three-pointer in Game 2, struggled, scoring only four points and missing most of his shots. Cleveland’s defense focused on stopping him. In earlier games, Indiana did well at making three-pointers, hitting several in Game 1 and shooting well in Game 2, but Cleveland controlled them better in Game 3. Indiana’s coach said he expected Cleveland to play better, and the Pacers showed they can make big comebacks, like when they erased a 20-point deficit in Game 2.
Cleveland must continue to stop Haliburton and use Indiana’s weak defense to their advantage. The Cavs were expected to win Game 3 by 5 points and have done well in close games recently, thanks to Mitchell and Jarrett Allen, who score around 15 points and grab 10 rebounds per game. However, Indiana plays well at home when they’re not the favorite, so Game 4 could be tough.
Game 4 on May 11 in Indianapolis is a big deal. Indiana wants to win to put Cleveland in a tough spot, while the Cavs’ goal is to tie the series at 2-2. Cleveland has a history of coming back in tough series, and with their players healthy, they look strong. Fans on social media are thrilled about Mitchell’s stellar play, but some Indiana fans believe Haliburton will shine in the next game. This series has been full of close, high-scoring battles, and Game 4 will be another exciting battle as both teams push to reach the Eastern Conference Finals.