Image Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Pacers vs. Cavaliers: Underdog Indiana Stuns Cleveland in Game 5 To Seal Series Win, Book Conference Finals Berth

From being overlooked to being unstoppable, the Indiana Pacers are now just one step away from an NBA Finals dream.

Image Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Against all odds, the Indiana Pacers have knocked out the favorites, completing a thrilling 4–1 series win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday night. The underdogs have won the Pacers vs. Cavaliers series while the favorites have crashed out, surprising NBA fans.

Game 5 was a must win for the Cleveland Cavaliers after the rout that took place in the fourth fixture. Coming into the Monday night game, the Cavaliers were already trailing 3-1 and this was a do-or-die one for them. The start to game 5 was good and showed urgency from them.

Donovan Mitchell, who exited during the halftime in game 4 started game five despite lack of fitness. He put up a brilliant performance on Tuesday, especially in the first half. The Cavaliers took a 31-19 lead at the end of the first quarter. In the second one, both teams went for it and the Pacers came up with a lead of 33-25.

Free throw shooting tonight:

17/22 — Indiana Pacers
15/21 — Donovan Mitchell pic.twitter.com/u872LPC6xZ
— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 14, 2025

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Tyrese Haliburton took the center stage for the Indiana Pacers again. While Pascal Siakam was also contributing for the visitors. Cleveland still had a lead of 56-52 at the beginning of the second half. The Pacers vs. Cavaliers game was moving towards a thrilling finish.

Tyrese, turnovers doom Cavaliers in Game 5

The Pacers second half performance, especially the third quarter one, sealed the deal. Cleveland unraveled as turnovers turned into buckets for Indiana. The Pacers on the other end went on a scoring spree. Soon, Indiana had an 85-76 scoreline in their favor.

The third quarter went in favor of the Pacers with a score of 33-20. In the last quarter of the Pacers vs. Cavaliers game, the home side showed urgency and went on a fine run, taking the game to the nick. They were just trailing by one point (86-87) when Darius Garland made a layup in the 5th minute.

TYRESE HALIBURTON TO SEND THE CAVS HOME:

31 PTS
8 AST
6 REB
6 3PM
10-15 FG
+27

THE INDIANA PACERS HAVE MADE BACK-TO-BACK CONFERENCE FINALS🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/TiqyVNUoBt
— HaliMuse (@hali_muse) May 14, 2025

However, from there, nothing went in favor of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Three pointers, layups were consistently missed while Tyrese Haliburton scored some crucial buckets, taking the game firmly into the Pacers camp. Indiana Pacers won game 5 by 114-105. They are now into the Eastern Conference Finals after a 4–1 series win. From being overlooked to being unstoppable, the Indiana Pacers are now just one step away from an NBA Finals dream.