Donovan Mitchell drops 43 points as Cavaliers dominate Pacers in Game 3

Los Angeles: Donovan Mitchell poured in 43 points to power the Cleveland Cavaliers to a commanding 126-104 win over the Indiana Pacers on Friday, cutting their deficit to 2-1 in the NBA Eastern Conference semi-final series.

The Cavaliers, who led the Eastern Conference with 64 regular-season victories, were facing elimination pressure after dropping the first two games at home. With no NBA team having ever come back from a 3-0 series deficit, Friday’s clash was effectively do-or-die.

Mitchell, who scored 48 points in a losing effort in Game 2, delivered another standout performance, adding nine rebounds, five assists, and a steal to his scoring outburst.

Cleveland also benefited from the return of key players. All-Star guard Darius Garland, back after missing four games due to a sprained toe, contributed 10 points. Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley, who sat out Game 2 with an ankle injury, tallied 18 points, 13 rebounds, three steals, and three blocks. De'Andre Hunter also returned to bolster the Cavaliers' depth.

Cleveland’s defense was especially effective, holding Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton – who had sparked a dramatic comeback in Game 2 – to just four points.

Bennedict Mathurin led the Pacers with 23 points off the bench, but Indiana couldn’t recreate the late-game magic that had stunned the Cavaliers earlier in the week.

The Cavs came out strong, racing to an 11-0 lead and never falling behind. Though Indiana managed to tie the score at 32 apiece by the end of the first quarter, Cleveland took control again, holding Haliburton scoreless and surging to a 66-45 halftime advantage.

The Pacers trimmed a 24-point deficit down to 11 with under eight minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, but Mitchell responded with a crucial three-pointer and then assisted Max Strus on another, quashing the rally and sealing the win.

Cleveland will look to even the series when Game 4 tips off in Indiana on Sunday.