Indiana Pacers dominate Cavaliers with historic halftime lead

In Indianapolis, Indiana, the Indiana Pacers achieved a remarkable feat in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers by establishing a 41-point lead at halftime. This 80-39 score not only marked a substantial advantage during the playoffs but also tied the NBA playoff record previously set by the Cavaliers themselves in 2017 during the Conference Finals. This record is particularly noteworthy as it is only the tenth time in the history of playoffs any team scored 80 points in one half, with the Oklahoma City Thunder also reaching 87 points in a game earlier that week. Despite a significant setback with one of their key players, Bennedict Mathurin, ejected less than eight minutes into the game due to a Flagrant 2 foul, the Pacers maintained an impressive performance throughout the first half. They demonstrated superior offensive capabilities, shooting an impressive 60% from the field and making 12 of their 18 three-point attempts. In stark contrast, the Cavaliers struggled, shooting only 25% and registering merely three assists as a team, with only three players scoring more than one basket. The dominance displayed by the Pacers was a significant turnaround from their previous performance, where they faced a 22-point loss, highlighting their resilience and competitiveness in this high-stakes series. With Pascal Siakam being a standout contributor, scoring 21 points, and both Myles Turner and Obi Toppin adding 20 points each, the Pacers pulled away significantly. After building earlier leads of 11-2 and 13-0, they effectively closed the first half on a remarkable 19-2 run. Moreover, even the absence of Donovan Mitchell for the Cavs in the second half due to an ankle injury contributed to the Cavs' hopeless situation, as they failed to keep pace with the rapidly advancing Pacers. Coach Rick Carlisle acknowledged the victory, emphasizing the mental resilience required in playoff games, while also mentioning the team's determination to keep fighting in the series. Following this victory, the Pacers are now up 3-1 in the series, putting them in a strong position to potentially close it out in the upcoming Game 5, which will take place in Cleveland. The Pacers have previously demonstrated their capability to win on the Cavs’ home court, an aspect that adds to the tension and anticipation leading into the next game in this thrilling matchup.