Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first-round playoff series was scheduled on Thursday night as the Indiana Pacers hosted the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavaliers won the first two games in Cleveland in an exciting fashion. They survived in Game 1 as CJ Miles missed a potential game-winner at the buzzer for the Pacers, and in Game 2 they needed superb performances from their "Big Three."
Indiana was hoping that on Thursday night in their Bankers Life Fieldhouse they can turn their fortunes around and win Game 3. 18 thousand fans made sure that it is a playoff atmosphere and the stage was set for another epic Paul George vs.
LeBron James duel.
Big first half for Indiana
Nate McMillan's squad came out ready to play and looked confident early in the game. They started off the game with a huge first quarter and held a 37-27 lead after the first period. They followed that up with another big quarter scoring 37 points in the second quarter as well. They held a 25 point lead at halftime (74-49), and it looked like they couldn't do anything wrong. They shot 57% from the field, including 59 percent from beyond the arc and a perfect 14-for-14 mark from the free-throw line. Paul George had 23 points in that first half.
The third quarter was all about LeBron James and Cavaliers' defense. James scored 13 points in the third quarter, and the Cavs held the Pacers to just 17 points in that period.
It was 91-84 for the home team after the third quarter. After a great third quarter, LeBron was even better in the fourth and scored 15 points in the final period of the game.
He led his team to an incredible comeback as they went on a 16-5 run and took a 100-98 lead midway through the fourth quarter. The final score was 119-114 for the Cleveland Cavaliers team that shot 21-44 from the three point line.
The Cavs held Indiana to 40% shooting from the field. The largest halftime deficit overcomes to win a playoff game had been 21 points by Baltimore against Philadelphia in 1948.
LeBron does it all
LeBron James led all scorers on Thursday night. He finished the game with 41 points and added 13 rebounds and 12 assists. It was his 17th career triple-double in the playoffs, and with Thursday's 41 points he passed Kobe Bryant for No.
3 on the NBA’s career playoff scoring list. J.R. Smith and Channing Frye each added 13 points for the Cavs. Kyle Korver contributed with 12 points off the bench.
Paul George led the way for Pacers in Game 3. He scored 36 points, pulled down 15 rebounds and dished out nine assists. Jeff Teague added 15 points and seven assists.
Cleveland now holds a 3-0 series lead with Game 4 scheduled on Sunday in Indiana. It’s only the second time in the Pacers’ NBA history they have lost the first three games in a best-of-seven series. Indiana has never endured a four-game sweep since joining the NBA.
