The Cleveland Cavaliers are set to take on the Indiana Pacers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals this Sunday, May 4, at Rocket Arena. This matchup has all the makings of a wire-to-wire series between the East’s top-seeded Cavaliers and the fourth-seeded Pacers.
Cavaliers’ Historic First-Round Sweep
The Cavaliers enter the semifinals riding the momentum of the most lopsided series in NBA Playoff history, outscoring the Miami Heat by a record 122 points across four games. After a competitive Game Two led many to believe Miami might take at least one game at home, Cleveland responded with two dominant performances, outscoring the Heat by 92 points combined, punctuated by a 138–83 blowout in Game Four, the largest series-clinching win in league history.
Cleveland’s success came through a balanced offensive attack, with seven players averaging double-digit points. Donovan Mitchell led the way with 23.8 PPG, but it was the bench production that proved to be the difference-maker. Ty Jerome averaged 16.3, De’Andre Hunter 13.0, and Max Strus added 11.0. For comparison, in the Cavs’ grueling seven-game series against the Magic in 2024, the bench averaged just 18.7 PPG. Against Miami, that number jumped to 46.5 PPG—a staggering increase that allowed Cleveland’s starters to rest and stay fresh during crunch time.
Notably, All-Star point guard Darius Garland missed Games Three and Four due to a sprained left toe sustained at the end of Game Two. After averaging 24 PPG in the first two games, Garland’s absence was felt, but the Cavaliers’ bench and defense stepped up, holding Miami under 90 points in both contests. Garland is expected to return for the semifinals following a 10-day rest period, though his health will be a storyline to monitor.
Pacers’ Resilient Victory Over the Bucks
Meanwhile, the Pacers advanced after a hard-fought 4–1 series win over the Milwaukee Bucks. Indiana showcased its resilience in Game Five, overcoming a late deficit to win 119–118 in overtime. Tyrese Haliburton’s clutch performance—including a game-winning layup with 1.3 seconds remaining—was electrifying and sent Indiana into the semifinals with considerable momentum.
Throughout the series, Indiana benefited from balanced scoring and strong defensive play. Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner provided veteran leadership, while Tyrese Haliburton was the Captain of the offense once again. The Pacers’ depth was equally important, with seven players averaging double figures in scoring. Their bench contributed 39.8 points per game this regular season—just 0.1 more than Cleveland’s—and ranked seventh in the league. Coming off last year’s Eastern Conference Finals, where they were swept in what may have been the most competitive sweep in recent memory, the Pacers enter this series determined to go further. This matchup promises to be a physical and strategic grind.
Regular Season Matchups: A Tale of Incomplete Rosters
During the 2024–25 regular season, the Pacers won the season series 3–1 against the Cavaliers. However, each game was impacted by key absences. Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Max Strus sat out the final two meetings due to rest, both resulting in Pacers wins. In Cleveland’s lone victory, Indiana was without Tyrese Haliburton, and the remaining Pacers win came before the trade deadline, meaning both teams were operating with significantly different rosters than the ones we’ll see this series.
Given those circumstances, neither team has seen the other at full strength, setting the stage for a fresh, intriguing chess match full of new lineup combinations and individual matchups.
Defensive Identity: The Cavaliers’ Key to Victory
Cleveland’s identity is rooted in its elite defense. With Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley paired alongside Jarrett Allen anchoring the interior, the Cavaliers consistently disrupt opponents’ rhythm and force tough looks. Against Indiana, the key will be slowing down Tyrese Haliburton’s playmaking and limiting Pascal Siakam’s ability to create in isolation.
While Darius Garland’s return boosts Cleveland offensively, it’s their ability to maintain defensive discipline that will dictate the outcome. Indiana finished the regular season ranked 9th in Offensive Rating (116.5), and the Cavs must lean on their length, rotations and rim protection to neutralize one of the NBA’s most efficient units.
As the series tips off, fans can expect a battle between two well-coached, contrasting teams—Cleveland’s rugged defense against Indiana’s fluid offense. If the Cavaliers can stay true to their defensive roots, they’ll be well-positioned to continue their dominant postseason run.
Series Schedule
Game 1:
Pacers @ Cavaliers
Sunday, May 4
Time: TBD (TNT)
Game 2:
Pacers @ Cavaliers
Tuesday, May 6
Time: TBD
Game 3:
Cavaliers @ Pacers
Friday, May 9
Time: TBD
Game 4:
Cavaliers @ Pacers
Sunday, May 11
Time: TBD
Game 5*:
Pacers @ Cavaliers
Tuesday, May 13
Time: TBD
Game 6*:
Cavaliers @ Pacers
Thursday, May 15
Time: TBD
Game 7*:
Pacers @ Cavaliers
Sunday, May 18
Time: TBD
Note: Games 5–7 if necessary
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