Bennedict Mathurin had an unimpressive first quarter despite the Indiana Pacers beating the Cleveland Cavaliers 129-109, taking a 3-1 lead in the NBA Eastern Conference semi-final series.
In the fifth game against the Cavaliers, the Pacers require just a win to qualify for the NBA Eastern Conference final.
Right before four minutes and 32 seconds in the first quarter, Mathurin punched the chest of De’Andre Hunter.
Back then, the Pacers had a lead of 22-10. But Mathurin’s cost them to be 38-23 after the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter, the Pacers shone well and scored 42-16 to make the overall lead 80-39.
Pascal Siakam led the winning team with 21 points, followed by Myles Turner and Obi Toppin scored 20 each.
Not to forget that, in their previous game, the Pacers faced a massive 126-104 loss.
Turner said: “This is a group that plays better through adversity.”
“We got punched in the mouth last game, we had a hell of a response. The starters set the tone and the bench picked it up the rest of the game.”
Ahead of a decisive game this week, the Cavaliers might go without six-time All-Star Donovan Mitchell. He faced an ankle injury in the second half. The Cavaliers will soon update about his availability for the next game.
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