In an adrenaline-pumping contest on May 6, 2025, the Indiana Pacers squeaked past the Cleveland Cavaliers during a nail-biting match that ended 120-119. The fierce fight in Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, Cleveland, resulted in the Pacers extending their series lead to 2-0 during the Eastern Conference Semifinals and both teams gave their all in every single possession.
According to the Pacers vs Cleveland Cavaliers Match Player Stats, this was surely a testing game in terms of the efforts and skills of both lineups. Pacers, trying to continue their streak, were up against a desperate Cavaliers team looking to fight back on their home turf.
Game Summary

The statistical results from the Pacers vs Cleveland Cavaliers Match Player Stats show that the match was filled with excitement and edge of your seat moments that kept the audience glued to their screens until the last moment. The following excerpts capture the most exciting highlights from this competitive game:
- Tyrese Halburton’s game-winning three pointer: Halburton’s composure and trust in himself added tremended contribution to how confident the pacers were leading ti a well earned NBA win. Bound Pacers to winning the game, his clutch 3 pointer sealed a 120-119 victory within just 1.1 seconds of the clock.
- Pacers’ 8-0 run in the final 48 seconds: The closing minutes of this game was pure gold and fiery for the audience. The pacers, when down on scoreboard by short margin, went on an incredible 8-0 scoring spree within 48 seconds to claim victory ensuring allocator clamps headed straight for vaulted of the guard. Relentless defenses alongside clever tactics were the fuel that driven and made their vision and goal of grabbing the lead into reality.The pact made them score the victory when it was most needed.
- Cavaliers’ short-handed lineup: Even at the start, the Cavaliers were at a disadvantage due to the absence of vital players so missing out significantly weakened their performance as for long struggled . Their steadfast was visible throughout the match. But compared to the dull warriors and the fierce active bat sh*t witches during the periods of sequential pacers bursts at the end of this period the alternation of games, it was evident they lacked the firepower to change and get roughed and steer the pace into their control.
Player Statistics – Indiana Pacers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Team | Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Other |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pacers | Tyrese Haliburton | 19 | 9 | 4 | – |
Pacers | Myles Turner | 23 | 8 | 0 | 5 BLK |
Pacers | Aaron Nesmith | 23 | 0 | 0 | 5 3PM |
Pacers | Bennedict Mathurin | 19 | 0 | 0 | – |
Pacers | Andrew Nembhard | 13 | 7 | 13 | – |
Pacers | Pascal Siakam | 12 | 6 | 4 | – |
Cavaliers | Donovan Mitchell | 48 | 5 | 9 | 4 STL |
Cavaliers | Max Strus | 23 | 8 | 4 | – |
Cavaliers | Jarrett Allen | 22 | 12 | 0 | – |
Cavaliers | Sam Merrill | 14 | 4 | 0 | – |
Indiana Pacers:
Tyrese Haliburton (19 PTS, 9 REB, 4 AST)
Haliburton was the most effective playmaker for the Pacers on both ends of the floor. Further, his effectiveness on the court nearly culminating in a triple double allowed the Pacers to remain competitive.
Myles Turner (23 PTS, 8 REB, 5 BLK)
Turner’s overall performance on both his offensive and defensive duties was incredibly strong. He scored actively on the offensive end and helped with the five blocks on defense, creating real problems for the Cavaliers’ scoring attempts.
Aaron Nesmith (23 PTS, 5 3PM)
Nesmith single handedly helped out the Pacers on the offensive end by scoring 23 points and sinking five 3-pointers. His long-range scoring ability became a real problem for the defense of the Cavaliers boosting the scoring numbers tremendously.
Bennedict Mathurin (19 PTS)
Mathurin demonstrated his ability to perform at a high level by contributing a noteworthy nineteen points demonstrating his capacity to absorb contact while scoring. The Pacers were able to stay competitive due to Mathurin’s sustained scoring enabling him to support his team during crucial moments.
Andrew Nembhard (13 PTS, 13 AST, 7 REB)
Nembhard’s exceptional rebounding helped secure a double-double and further his 13-assist milestone. He pulled down 7 rebounds while playing solid defense and strategically crafted effortless scoring opportunities for his teammates through his assists.
Pascal Siakam (12 PTS, 6 REB, 4 AST)
His overall effort helped the team as he netted 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists which proved to be valuable additions. His adaptability on both ends assisted offensively and in multiple areas balanced the defense enabling the Pacers to sustain the attack.
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Donovan Mitchell (Pts – 48, Ast – 9, Reb – 5, Stl – 4)
Almost single handedly securing a win for the Cavaliers, he came just short of carrying the team to victory. Hence he was rewarded with 48 points along with an all-around execution of 9 assists, 5 rebounds and 4 steals.
Max Strus (Pts – 23, Reb – 8, Ast – 4)
Strus completed an all-round performance, registering 23 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Max stood out as an active player in the game because of his defensive and offensive inclusion.
Jarrett Allen (Pts – 22, Reb – 12)
His paint control and interior presence was dominant through the whole game, finishing with a easy double double of 22 points and 12 rebounds. Allen’s rebounding and scoring inside was crucial for the Cavaliers.
Sam Merrill (Pts – 14, Reb – 4)
Merrill ensured smooth sailing for the Cavaliers by his tremendous hustle and scoring at the right moments. Supporting Mitchell’s scoring outburst, he netted 14 points which made the offensive play more balanced.
With brilliance from both ends, the game featured entertaining highlights from the Pacers intricate plays along with Mitchell’s jaw dropping solo skills and footwork.
Advanced Analytics: Pacers vs Cavaliers Comparison
Metric | Pacers | Cavaliers |
---|---|---|
Field Goal % | 46.2% | 47.5% |
Three-Point % | 23.7% | 37.5% |
Free Throw % | 62.5% | 71.4% |
Rebounds | 45 | 39 |
Assists | 28 | 27 |
Turnovers | 11 | 14 |
As for that game of Pacers and Cavaliers, both teams demonstrated their pros and cons that were revealed through critical statistical changes. Let both the evaluation and the comparitive analysis of their performance across several metrics begin.
Field Goal Percentage
- Pacers: 46.2%
- Cavaliers: 47.5%
Although both teams had solid atempts at shooting from the goal, the Cavaliers struck out the Pacers in the efficiency of shooting for goals. The Cavaliers had a boost in accuracy which helped them gain easy points throughout the game, while the Pacers also managed to score at pivotal moments during the game.
Three-Point Percentage
- Pacers: 23.7%
- Cavaliers: 37.5%
What strikes the most is where the difference in the three-point shooting lies. The Cavaliers had a much better perimeter game which was aided by their ability to stretch the floor at 37.5% shooting from beyond the arc. The Pacers, on the other hand, struggled with long-range shooting as is evident by their abysmal 23.7% from three. This gap may explain the Cavaliers’ ability to relentlessly maintain outside pressure which forced the Pacers to try other, less effective, scoring options.
Free Throw Percentage
- Pacers: 62.5%
- Cavaliers: 71.4%
When it came to free throw shootings, the Cavaliers had a considerable edge. They turned 71.4% of their free throw attempts into points, thus, making the most of their scoring opportunities. The Indiana Pacers were not able to make the required minimum of effortless free throws, turning only 62.5% of them into points. These missed opportunities during key phases of the game were significant down the stretch, and would have assisted in closing the gap.
Rebounds
- Pacers: 45
- Cavaliers: 39
The Pacers controlled the rebounds with a total of 45 compared to the Cavaliers’ 39. They were able to maximize their total rebounding count which assisted in maintaining possession of the ball. The Cavaliers performed adequately when it came to giving up second-chance points, but their failure to grab more rebounds did not allow them to effectively take advantage of the skimpy attempts at shots that were available.

Assists
- Pacers: 28
- Cavaliers: 27
Circumventing the points border made the ball circulate quickly and the Cavaliers were behind the Pacers when it comes to assists. The 28 assists recorded by the Pacers and 27 recorded by the Cavaliers shows that they had an effective offense which relied on teamwork to create clear scoring opportunities. Although the numbers are close, it demonstrates that both teams worked hard to move the ball and look for high-quality shots.
Turnovers
- Pacers: 11
- Cavaliers: 14
The Pacers displayed better ball control discipline, making just 11 turnovers against the Cavaliers’ 14. That allowed the Pacers to control the pace of the game and avoid surrendering easy fast break opportunities. For the Cavaliers, maintaining digits was an issue. For the Pacers, taking advantage every chance given was ample due to limited turnovers ensuring preserved offensive chances.
Key Takeaways:
Impact of Missing Cavaliers’ Stars (Mitchell, Mobley, Garland):
The Cavaliers were certainly affected by the absence of some critical players as Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Darius Garland are integral to the team’s performance. Mitchell’s scoring ability has been a cornerstone of the Cavaliers’ offense, which was sorely missed. Because of this, the Cavaliers did not have the requisite offensive capabilities to keep pace with the Pacers and suffered on defense as well. Garland’s ability on the perimeter and his pass-first mentality would have aided the offensive flow, while Mobley would have further aided their offensive and defensive versatility.
Pacers’ Resilience and Depth in the Absence of Key Players:
Losing some key contributors did not stop the rest of the team from showcasing their depth, and resilience. The addition of Myles Turner and Tyrese Haliburton gave the Pacers renewed vigor to exploit Cavaliers weaknesses. The performance of their passes shored up the Annapolis offensive efforts. Nesmith and Nembhard provided exceptional production for the Pacers. The performance of the bench speaks volumes about the strength and the ability of the team to quickly fill the gaps without pepper-starring few crucial players.
Haliburton’s Leadership Alongside His Spectacular Performance:
Tyrese Haliburton’s performance was exceptional and greatly contributed to the victory of the Pacers. Weighing-in on his calm demeanor, Haliburton does not fall under pressure which is why he was able to deliver in the crucial moments by making firm plays and hitting big shots in the dying seconds of the game. His offensive decision-making as a scorer and playmaker was crucial during important phases of the contest, enabling the Pacers to remain in control during pivotal points of the matchup. He single-handedly attained the leadership on the court which was important for the team to come up successful, reinforcing the notion that he flourished in critical moments.
Cavaliers’ Dependence Mitchell’s Scoring with Limited Aid:
The offense of the Cavaliers seemed dysfunctional in the absence of Mitchell which did not aid their cause regardless. With the likes of Garland and Mobley exiting the contest, Mitchell was left stranded in his attempt to score. He was attempting to step up in the missing support from his teammates at the most but could only get so far due to their lack of sustained support. While his 48-points were impressive, there was still no way he was going to overcome the collective strength and depth of the Pacers. Mitchell needs the rest of his core players in order to efficiently balance their offense so he will not have to be the primary and lone scorer in the playoffs.
Conclusion
The victory of the Pacers over Cleveland Cavaliers by 120 – 119 on May 6, 2025, marks their mark in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Not only does this win add to their series score 2-0 but it also proves the steadfast nature of their performances as a team. Tyrese Haliburton’s winning 3-pointer in the closing moments incredibly illustrates how the Pacers managed to outsmart Cavs in arguably the most crucial phase of the game. Furthermore, the Cavaliers might have lost but Donovan Mitchell showcased Cavs excellence and skill even when the situation looks bleak and continues to assert.
For game 3 in the Indiana region, the fans are excited as the Cavaliers are looking for an advantageous lead while the Pacers look to defend their title. Unlike game two, the whole Cavaliers roster comes fully energized and rested which adds to the unpredictability of the game. Both sets of fans are looking forward to a very heated and action packed game. This game certainly promises to be another spectacular clash.
References
- NBA Official Game Recap, May 6, 2025
- ESPN Box Score: Indiana Pacers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
- Cleveland Cavaliers Team Report, Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 2
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