The Cleveland Cavaliers were well on their way to winning Game 2 and evening up their series against the Indiana Pacers. Instead, they suffered one of the most heartbreaking losses we’ve seen in playoff history.
Cleveland had a 119-112 lead over Indiana with under 50 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. Unfortunately for the Cavaliers, everything that could go wrong did go wrong in the final minute of the game.
For starters, Aaron Nesmith and Pascal Siakam each made buckets in the paint to cut into Cleveland’s deficit. With 27 seconds remaining in the game, Max Strus had the chance to put his team in a good spot by simply inbounding the basketball. However, he failed to do that.
Strus threw an awful pass that got intercepted y Andrew Nembhard. That led to Tyrese Haliburton earning a trip to the free throw line. After making his first attempt, the All-Star guard missed his second attempt and collected his own rebound. He then went out to the 3-point line and drilled a shot from 24 feet.
That sequence led to the Pacers taking a 2-0 series lead.
David Richard-Imagn Images
Immediately after Game 2 ended, Cavaliers fans went on social media to criticize Strus for his costly turnover. Some fans went too far and legitimately sent him death threats.
“What a disgusting way to end the season. Max Strus should be ashamed of himself. What was that. I can’t believe what I just watched. I am in shock,” one fan said.
“Max Strus needs to [bleep],” a second fan tweeted
“I want Max Strus run out of this city,” a third fan declared.
“Max Strus needs to get off my franchise,” another Cavaliers fan wrote.
Strus finished Tuesday night’s game with 23 points on 8-of-shooting. It’s a shame that his strong performance will be overshadowed by one play.
The Cavaliers and Pacers will resume their series on Friday in Indiana.
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