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Haliburton stunner sinks Cavs as Pacers take 2-0 series lead / Photo: © GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
Haliburton stunner sinks Cavs as Pacers take 2-0 series lead
Tyrese Haliburton scored a dramatic three-pointer with just over a second remaining as the Indiana Pacers stunned the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers 120-119 to take a commanding 2-0 lead in their NBA Eastern Conference semi-final series on Tuesday.
Haliburton's ice-cold 24-foot step-back three with just 1.1 seconds left on the clock completed a remarkable comeback from fourth seeds Indiana and leaves Cleveland in a daunting position as the best-of-seven series heads back to Indianapolis.
Donovan Mitchell had almost single-handedly dragged an injury-depleted Cleveland to victory with a masterful performance, scoring 48 points in a game the Cavs led by 20 points midway through the third quarter.
But Cleveland, missing injured starters Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and De'Andre Hunter, wilted visibly down the stretch as a dogged Pacers line-up refused to roll over and steadily chipped away at the Cavaliers' lead.
Cleveland forward Max Strus looked to have put the Cavs on course for victory after draining his fifth three-pointer of the night to put the home side 117-110 up with just over a minute remaining.
Indiana, though, closed with a 10-2 run in the final minute, culminating with Haliburton's winning three in the final seconds to set the seal on a sensational fightback.
Pacers point guard Haliburton finished with 19 points while Aaron Nesmith and Myles Turner scored 23 points apiece. Six Indiana players finished in double figures.
Mitchell's 48-point performance was backed by Strus with 23 points while Jarrett Allen added 22.
Game three in the series takes place in Indianapolis on Friday.
P. da Silva--JDB
