Cavaliers, Pacers Battle in NBA Conference Semifinals Game 1

The Indiana Pacers secured a 121-112 Game 1 victory against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2025 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference semifinals, capitalizing on their strong three-point shooting and defensive presence. Indiana shot 52.8% from beyond the arc and blocked nine shots, while Cleveland dominated inside with a 70-38 advantage in points in the paint. Tyrese Haliburton led the Pacers with 18 points and 13 assists, while the Cavaliers were hindered by the absence of Darius Garland due to injury. The Pacers entered the series with confidence, having won three of the five most recent meetings between the teams, despite Cleveland's top seeding and impressive first-round sweep of the Miami Heat. Indiana's victory shifts home-court advantage in their favor, setting the stage for a closely contested series. Both teams' performances in the first round suggest the rest of the series will be highly competitive.