LeBron, Cavs Stage Comeback to Win Game 3

After taking the first two games in close fashion, the Cleveland Cavaliers would shift their focus to Bankers Fieldhouse Arena to face the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers, despite their rallies throughout the series, will need a huge boost in order to make it a series.

In the first quarter, Myles Turner and Thaddeus Young got Indiana going with a few layups and a slam dunk, while Kyrie Irving, Kevin Love, and LeBron got Cleveland going with a few baskets and a three-pointer. After a three-pointer from Jeff Teague, Tristan Thompson and J.R. Smith would get themselves on the board for Cavs with baskets of their own. Young would also make a three-pointer and a layup as Cleveland called timeout. With Indiana leading 16 to 13, a layup from Love and a three-pointer from LeBron would tie the game at 19. Indiana would go on a ten to nothing run, but Irving’s three-pointer would end the run. Indiana answered back with a three-point play from Seraphin and Glenn Robinson III. The Pacers led 37 to 27 by the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter, Lance Stephenson entered the game for Indiana, knocking down a three-pointer. After two free throws and a three-pointer from LeBron, Turner delivered a vicious dunk that got the Pacers crowd to its feet, leading to a Cavaliers timeout. With Cleveland leading 42 to 32, Monte Ellis would make a three-point play, followed by a three-pointer and a slam dunk from Paul George. The Pacers continued their scoring tear towards the end of the second quarter, leading 74 to 49.

Facing a tough deficit, Cleveland opened the third quarter on a fourteen to five run, until Stephenson and Teague made a three-pointer each. The Cavaliers would go on another run, scoring fourteen unanswered, before Seraphin made both free throws. By the end of the third quarter, Indiana led 91 to 84.

In the fourth quarter, George made a basket and three free throws to keep Indiana’s lead in tact, but the Cavs would go on an eight to nothing run. After a basket from Ellis ended the run, LeBron would tie the game at 98, and would eventually give Cleveland its first lead since the first quarter. George would give Indiana the lead again after making a big three-pointer, but Korver, Frye and LeBron would make a three-pointer each to put the Cavs ahead 114 to 109. Cleveland would put the game away with a total of five free throws from LeBron, J.R. Smith, and Deron Williams as the Cavs would go on to win 119 to 114.

This was a very memorable playoff game, and with a lot of memorable moments. The Pacers had scored 72 points in the first half, the most scored by any team in any playoff game. Despite having made so many points in a half during the postseason, they would blow their sizable lead over the Cavs in the second half.

”Early on in the third (quarter), I saw it getting out of hand. I trust the guys on that floor, but I just thought – you know, I watched it kind of unravel – that’s when I should have stepped in and demanded the ball a little bit more,” he said.

The Cavaliers on the other hand, had LeBron making history of his own. LeBron surpasses Kobe Bryant for third place on the career playoff points leader list. LeBron also made a total of 294 3 pointers throughout his career in the postseason. In addition, LeBron won his 20th consecutive first round playoff game, tying with Los Angeles Lakers legends, Michael Cooper, James Worthy, and Magic Johnson. Should LeBron win in Game 4, he would have the record for most first round wins under the current playoff format.

”I just try to put myself in position to help my teammates win – no matter who’s on the floor with me,” James said. ”I just don’t settle for being not as great as I can be. The only thing that matters is (winning) – that’s what I’m here for.”

For the Cleveland Cavaliers, Kevin Love, J.R. Smith, Kyrie Irving, and Channing Frye had 13 points each, Kyle Korver with 12 points, and LeBron with a triple-double of 41 points, 13 rebounds, and 12 assists.

For the Indiana Pacers, Jeff Teague had 15 points, Lance Stephenson with 13 points, while Kevin Seraphin made 11 points. Thaddeus Young recorded a double-double of 11 points and 14 rebounds, and Paul George recorded a triple-double of 36 points, 15 rebounds, and 13 assists.

The Indiana Pacers are on the brink of elimination as they host the Cavaliers again. Game starts Sunday at 1pm and will be televised on ABC.