Cavaliers recover with Donovan Mitchell's explosive 43-point game
- The Cleveland Cavaliers won Game 3 against the Indiana Pacers, improving their playoff series standing.
- Donovan Mitchell led the scoring effort with 43 points, aided by key players returning from injury.
- This victory was significant as it maintained Cleveland's hopes in the playoff series.
In Indianapolis, United States, Donovan Mitchell put on a stellar performance by scoring 43 points and grabbing nine rebounds in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Friday night. This victory for the Cleveland Cavaliers was critical as they defeated the Indiana Pacers 126-104, cutting the series deficit to 2-1. The Cavaliers were finally at full strength after missing key players in their previous matchup, including NBA Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley and All-Star guard Darius Garland. The team displayed a strong rebounding effort, dominating by a 56-37 margin, and showcased effective zone defense to stifle their opponents' high-scoring strategy. Mitchell's performance was supported by teammates, particularly Max Strus, who contributed significantly with 20 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists. Cleveland built a commanding lead, at one point going up by as much as 26 points. They maintained control throughout, responding effectively when the Pacers narrowed the gap to 11 points early in the fourth quarter. The series has been competitive, with the road team winning all three games so far, setting the stage for the Pacers to try and break that trend in Game 4. The match also saw a physical style of play, evidenced by the five technical fouls issued to the Pacers, indicative of the mounting tensions on the court, highlighting the high stakes of these playoffs.