INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Pacers beat the Cleveland Cavaliers, 121-112, at Rocket Arena on Sunday night to take a 1-0 series lead in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Guard Andrew Nembhard led the Pacers with 23 points on 5-of-6 shooting from 3-point range, while point guard Tyrese Haliburton had 22 points and 13 assists. Guard Donovan Mitchell scored 33 points for the Cavaliers in Game 1.
The Pacers controlled the first half. Guard Bennedict 3three-pointer at the end of the first quarter gave Indiana an 11-point lead. Cleveland fought back in the second, trailing by just six at halftime. Forward Pascal Siakam had 13 points and Nembhard had 12 in the first half.
The Pacers built their biggest lead of the game in the third, taking a 12-point lead on an Aaron Nesmith 3-pointer, but the Cavaliers countered with a 13-0 run to take the lead on an Evan Mobley basket. The teams exchanged buckets the rest of the quarter before center Myles Turner made a three at the buzzer to give the Pacers a 92-90 advantage heading into the fourth.
Cleveland led 102-101 when Indiana hit back-to-back 3-pointers by Haliburton and Nembhard to take a 107-102 lead. The Pacers extended the lead down the stretch to steal home-court advantage.
Game 2 of the series is on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. in Cleveland.