Pacers beat Cavaliers 121-112 for 1-0 series lead

INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana Pacers beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 121-112 at Rocket Arena on Sunday night to take a 1-0 series lead in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.




Andrew Nembhard led the Pacers with 23 points on 5-of-6 shooting from three-point range, while Tyrese Haliburton had 22 points and 13 assists. Donovan Mitchell scored 33 points for the Cavaliers in Game 1.




The Pacers controlled the first half. Bennedict Mathurin's three-pointer at the end of the first quarter gave Indiana an 11-point lead. Cleveland fought back in the second, trailing by just six at halftime. Pascal Siakam had 13 points and Nembhard had 12 in the first half.




Pacers built their biggest lead of the game in the third, taking a 12-point lead on an Aaron Nesmith three-pointer, but the Cavaliers countered with a 13-0 lead to take the lead on an Evan Mobley basket. The teams exchanged buckets the rest of the quarter before Myles Turner made a three at the buzzer to give the Pacers a 92-90 advantage heading into the fourth.




Cleveland led 102-101 when Indiana hit back-to-back three-pointers by Haliburton and Nembhard to take a 107-102 lead. The Pacers extended the lead down the stretch to steal home-court advantage.




Game 2 of the series is on Tuesday night at 7:00 p.m. in Cleveland.





via: https://fox59.com/sports/pacers/pacers-beat-cavaliers-121-112-for-1-0-series-lead/