Cleveland comes back against Indiana, Denver regains control over OKC
This Friday May 9, the NBA conference semifinals resumed with two crucial games. In Indianapolis, Donovan Mitchell carried the Cavaliers against the Pacers to avoid going down 0-3, while the Nuggets won an intense overtime battle against the Thunder to retake the series lead (2 wins to 1).
Unstoppable Mitchell, Cleveland breathes
Down 2-0 before Game 3, the Cavaliers knew their backs were against the wall. Thanks to a red-hot Donovan Mitchell (43 points, 9 rebounds), Cleveland dominated Indiana 126-104 on their home court. Despite a Pacers comeback early in the fourth quarter (104-93), Mitchell calmed the arena with a fadeaway, a pull-up 3-pointer and an assist to Max Strus from long range. The lead expanded again.
Returning from injury, Evan Mobley and De’Andre Hunter strengthened the defense, while Darius Garland helped energize the offense. Cleveland controlled the rebounds (56 to 37) and hit 14 three-pointers. Max Strus (20 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists) also shined in a tense game where Indiana collected five technical fouls.
For the Pacers, Bennedict Mathurin (23 points) was the standout performer, but Tyrese Haliburton struggled (4 points, 5 assists). Rick Carlisle acknowledged his responsibility: « I didn’t prepare my players properly. »
Donovan Mitchell UNSTOPPABLE lors du Game 3 face aux Pacers!
🗝️ 43 points
🗝️ 9 rebounds
🗝️ 5 assists
🗝️ 5 three-pointersCleveland comes back to 2-1
Game 4 at 2:00 AM this Sunday!pic.twitter.com/tViuKpBPzD— NBA France (@NBAFRANCE) May 10, 2025
Denver rediscovers its DNA through adversity
At Ball Arena, the Denver Nuggets also weathered the storm before striking hard. After losing by 43 points in the previous game, they defeated Oklahoma City 113-104 in overtime, retaking the series lead (2-1).
Jamal Murray (27 points), Aaron Gordon (22) and Michael Porter Jr., who played through shoulder pain but found inspiration (21 points), led the attack. Nikola Jokic had a difficult game (20 points on 8/25 shooting, 8 turnovers) but proved useful in overtime, starting with a layup.
The overtime period proved fatal for the Thunder, who failed to convert eight of their nine possessions. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (18 points on 7/22 shooting) struggled against the Nuggets’ defense. Jalen Williams (32 points) carried OKC, but it wasn’t enough.
« These are the moments that forge great teams, » said Coach Mark Daigneault, clear-eyed about the demands of high-level competition.
Jamal Murray’s game in pictures!
27 PTS
8 AST
4 STL3rd best scorer of the Playoffs this season!pic.twitter.com/plEQDY0Qkr
— NBA France (@NBAFRANCE) May 10, 2025
Commentaires