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NBA Playoffs: Tyrese Haliburton, Pacers fend off Cavaliers to clinch spot in Eastern Conference Finals

Posted on by Starteelic
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14
May
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Tyrese Haliburton Leads Pacers Past Cavaliers, Indiana Returns to Eastern Conference Finals for Second Straight Year

The Indiana Pacers are heading back to the Eastern Conference Finals — and they’re doing it in style.

On Tuesday night, Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers delivered a gutsy 114-105 win over the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. With the victory, Indiana closed out the series 4-1 and punched their ticket to their second consecutive conference finals. Awaiting them is the winner of the New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics series, a showdown that could define the next step in Indiana’s postseason journey.

This wasn’t just another playoff win — it was a defining moment for a team hungry to reestablish itself as a legitimate title contender. The Pacers didn’t just knock off the East’s No. 1 seed; they did it with resilience, composure, and big-time performances when it mattered most.

Cleveland’s Hot Start Quickly Cools
From the opening tip, it looked like the Cavaliers were ready to force a Game 6. Cleveland opened up a commanding 19-point lead in the first half behind a scoring explosion from Donovan Mitchell, who put up 13 quick points in the first quarter alone. Despite struggling from beyond the arc (0-of-5 from three to start), the Cavs still built a 12-point advantage after one.

But Indiana didn’t panic. With their season on the line, the Pacers remained poised and responded in a big way. Haliburton erupted in the second quarter, knocking down five 3-pointers — including a near-half-court bomb — and led a 27-9 run that completely shifted the momentum. By halftime, what looked like a Cleveland rout had turned into a tight four-point game.

Indiana Takes Over in the Second Half
The third quarter belonged entirely to the Pacers. Head coach Rick Carlisle called a quick timeout after giving up two easy buckets, and whatever he said clearly worked. Pascal Siakam soon gave Indiana its first lead with a clutch three, capping an 11-0 run that lasted less than two minutes.

Cleveland, meanwhile, saw its offense collapse. The Cavaliers missed 17 of their 24 shots in the period and went over seven minutes without a field goal. Things got worse when Mitchell, who had been dealing with an ankle issue since Game 4, limped off the court midway through the quarter. Though he returned later and hit an and-one to stop the bleeding, the damage had already been done. Indiana ended the third quarter on a dominant 31-13 run, building a nine-point cushion that felt much larger.

Cavaliers Mount One Final Push, but Pacers Close the Door
Mitchell did everything he could in the fourth, finishing the night with 35 points and nine rebounds, including several clutch shots to keep the Cavaliers within striking distance. Evan Mobley added 24 points and 11 boards, while De’Andre Hunter chipped in 12 off the bench.

But every time Cleveland made a push, Indiana answered. After the Cavs cut the lead to one late in the game, Haliburton responded with a decisive dunk that energized his team. Moments later, Andrew Nembhard converted an and-one after a tough finish over Darius Garland, giving the Pacers the breathing room they needed to seal the win.

In the final moments, Cleveland’s composure crumbled — missing four straight free throws and failing to convert on their final possessions.

Haliburton’s Breakout Night Propels Indiana Forward
Haliburton was nothing short of spectacular. The All-Star guard finished with 31 points, eight assists, and six 3-pointers on 10-of-15 shooting from the field. It was his second-quarter outburst that kept the Pacers afloat and his fourth-quarter poise that pushed them over the top.

Siakam added a steady 21 points and eight rebounds, while Nembhard’s 18-point performance proved vital down the stretch. It was a complete team effort — and a performance that underscored just how dangerous this Indiana team has become.

What’s Next: Eyes on the East Finals
With the Cavaliers now eliminated, Indiana turns its attention to the Eastern Conference Finals, where they’ll face either the New York Knicks or the Boston Celtics. The Knicks currently lead that series 3-1 and are looking to clinch their first trip to the conference finals since 1999 — a task that could become easier with Celtics star Jayson Tatum reportedly sidelined with a ruptured Achilles.

For the Pacers, the opportunity is massive. They’re now just four wins away from their first NBA Finals appearance since 2000 — and arguably closer than they’ve been in decades. With an 8-2 playoff record and momentum on their side, this might be Indiana’s best shot in a generation to make a run at a championship.

Led by the sharp-shooting, floor-general brilliance of Haliburton, and supported by a balanced, battle-tested roster, the Pacers are peaking at just the right time.

The East may have started the postseason as Cleveland’s to lose — but now, it just might belong to Indiana.

Starteelic

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