CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers fought their way to the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, winning 64 games during the regular season — the second-most in franchise history. But it won’t mean anything if their season ends tonight.
The Cavs are facing elimination in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Indiana Pacers. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 13, at Rocket Arena. The game will air nationally on TNT and truTV.
Fans who’ve cut the cord on cable can stream the game on DirecTV Stream, which offers a free trial, or Sling TV, which has promotional offers for new customers.
Spida’s Status
For the Cavaliers, it’s starting to feel like déjà vu. For the second straight postseason, they’re staring down elimination without their best player at full strength.
Donovan Mitchell reaggravated a sprained left ankle during Sunday’s Game 4 loss and did not play in the second half. He’s officially listed as questionable, and his status could come down to a game-time decision. Still, Mitchell sounds determined to play.
“I will be good for Tuesday,” he told cleveland.com after the game on Sunday. “You know me. I will see you Tuesday.”
The Cavs will need him. Mitchell has been brilliant in this series, averaging 41.3 points per game over the first three contests and drawing “oohs” and “ahhs” with his “Air Jordan”-esque drives to the basket.
How we got here
After losing the first two games at home — including a shocking Game 2 collapse in which they blew a seven-point lead in the final minute — the Cavaliers looked like a different team in Game 3. Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and De’Andre Hunter all returned from injury, and the Cavs routed the Pacers 126-104 behind Mitchell’s 43-point performance.
But any momentum vanished in Game 4.
The Cavs came out flat and were thoroughly outplayed. The Pacers dominated from the jump, taking a stunning 41-point lead into halftime en route to a 129-109 blowout. Cleveland head coach Kenny Atkinson had no answers for Indiana’s frontcourt. The trio of Pascal Siakam, Myles Turner and Obi Toppin combined for 61 points and controlled the game on both ends with their length and shot-making ability.
Players to watch
Cavaliers
Darius Garland: With Mitchell banged up, the Cavs need Garland to step up. Bothered by a sprained toe since the first round, he’s been consistently outhustled on the defensive end, getting into early foul trouble in his two games back. Offensively, he’s only shooting 34% (10-of-29) on three-pointers this postseason.
Jarrett Allen: The big man was a non-factor in Game 4, finishing with just two points and one rebound in 20 forgettable minutes. Cleveland can’t afford another no-show.
Ty Jerome: A Sixth Man of the Year finalist, Jerome has gone ice cold. He’s shooting just 16% (4-of-25) over the last three games and averaging 3.7 points in that span.
Pacers
Tyrese Haliburton: The Pacers’ Game 2 hero has been a non-factor since, averaging just 7.5 points and shooting 1-of-6 from three in Games 3 and 4. The Cavs hope the slump continues.
Benedict Mathurin: Indiana’s physical sixth man has been a defensive pest, frustrating both Hunter and Max Strus. He was ejected from Game 4 for punching Hunter, so expect him to come out with even more edge.
Pascal Siakam: The six-time All-Star has gotten the better of Mobley, the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year. Siakam is averaging 19.5 points and shooting 71% over the last two games.
Key stats
• The last time the Cavaliers came back from a 3-1 deficit? The 2016 NBA Finals. That series included a 33-point loss to the Warriors in Game 2.
• Indiana ranks fourth in the East in fast-break points (17.5 per game), led by Mathurin’s 3.8 per game.
• The Cavs average 15.9 made 3-pointers per game, nearly three more than the 12.9 the Pacers allow.
What the oddsmakers say
Moneyline: CLE (-278), INDY: (+225)
Spread: CLE: (-7.5), INDY: (+7.5)
Over/Under: 229.5
Odds from DraftKings
Here’s more information on how to watch the game:
Who: Indiana Pacers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
What: NBA Playoffs Round 2, Game 5. Indiana leads the best-of-seven series, 3-1
When: Tuesday, May 13, 2025
Time: 7 p.m. Eastern
Where: Rocket Arena | Cleveland, OH
Channel: TNT, truTV, Max
Best streaming options:DirecTV Stream (free trial) or Sling TV (promotional offers)
Channel finder if you have cable
You can access the channel by using the channel finders online: Verizon Fios, AT&T U-verse, Comcast Xfinity, Spectrum/Charter, Optimum/Altice, DIRECTV and Dish.
Information from the AP was included in this report and AI might have been used to assist with this story.