14.05.2025
Cleveland Cavaliers 105 - 114 Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 114-105 in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, advancing to the conference finals for the second consecutive year. Despite trailing by 19 points in the first half, the Pacers turned the game with their fast pace and a crucial 17-2 run in the third quarter. Tyrese Haliburton led Indiana with 31 points, and Pascal Siakam added 21, while Donovan Mitchell led the Cavaliers with 35 points. This victory marked the first time since 2005 that Indiana won three road games in a playoff series, and it was the first series the Cavaliers lost three home games. Coach Rick Carlisle praised his team's resilience and noted their underdog status fueled their success. The Pacers now await the winner of the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks series.
Oklahoma City Thunder 112 - 105 Denver Nuggets
In a thrilling comeback, the Oklahoma City Thunder outplayed the Denver Nuggets in Game 5 of their Western Conference series, capitalizing on the dominant performances they've exhibited all season. Despite their decisive regular season, the Thunder are finding the post-season more challenging against a Nuggets team led by Nikola Jokic. Strikingly, Jokic has been struggling, hitting only 33.3% from the field during the last three games, a significant drop from his usual standards. Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, another MVP finalist, has been impactful, averaging 27.5 points and effectively getting to the free-throw line. The Thunder's depth has been crucial, with 10 players contributing substantial minutes each game, contrasting with Denver's reliance on a tighter seven-man rotation. Coach Mark Daigneault praises his team's adaptation, emphasizing their growth and confidence-building throughout the series, which is crucial as the two teams head into the concluding games of this intense matchup.