The Indiana Pacers delivered a stunning performance in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference Semifinals series against the Cleveland Cavaliers, tying an NBA playoff record with a 41-point halftime lead. The Pacers' dominant first half propelled them to an 80-39 advantage, leaving fans and analysts alike in disbelief.
This remarkable feat tied the record for the largest halftime lead in NBA postseason history, a mark previously set by the Cavaliers themselves in 2017 against the Boston Celtics. Before that, only one other team had achieved a 40-plus-point halftime lead in the NBA playoffs: the Detroit Pistons in 1987.
The Pacers' historic first half was fueled by exceptional offensive execution and stifling defense. They also set a franchise postseason record for points in a half (80) and an NBA postseason record in assists (25) in a half in the play-by-play era.
Entering Game 4, the Pacers held a 2-1 series lead, but were considered underdogs despite playing at home. The Cavaliers, after a Game 3 victory where Donovan Mitchell erupted for 43 points, were looking to even the series. Prior to Game 3, key players like Evan Mobley, Darius Garland, and De'Andre Hunter had been dealing with injuries. However, all three were available for Game 4.
Despite Cleveland's improved health, the Pacers came out with an intensity and focus that the Cavaliers simply couldn't match. Indiana's Tyrese Haliburton and company seemed determined to assert their dominance and prove that their previous successes were no fluke.
The game wasn't without its tense moments. In the first quarter, Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin was involved in an altercation with Cavaliers forward De'Andre Hunter. Mathurin appeared to jab Hunter in the chest, leading to a retaliatory shove from Hunter. Both Hunter and Mathurin's teammate, Myles Turner, received technical fouls as a result of the incident.
Looking ahead, a win in Game 4 puts the Pacers in a commanding position, needing just one more victory to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. Historically, teams with a 3-1 lead in the second round of the playoffs win the series approximately 95% of the time. However, the Cavaliers have shown resilience in the past, overcoming a 3-1 deficit to win the NBA Finals in 2016.
