Staff Reporter.
@APPhoto.
The Indiana Pacers advanced to the Eastern Conference finals for the second straight year with a 114-105 victory over Cleveland on Tuesday night, eliminating the top-seeded Cavaliers in five games.
Indiana won all three games in the series that were played in Cleveland as Tyrese Haliburton finished Game 5 with 31 points, eight assists and six rebounds.
“The winning team writes the script,” Indiana coach Rick Carlisle said.
“This was one of the best teams in the league. I’m sorry their season had to end like this. They had the perfect season, and we came along and were hot at the right time.”
Cleveland, who topped the Eastern Conference, thrashed Miami 4-0 to book their place in the semi-finals.
However, they could not cope with the tempo of the Pacers and Donovan Mitchell, who led the Cavaliers with 35 points, said they had “let the city down”.
“We just didn’t get the job done. Nothing else needs to be said,” added Mitchell.
“We let the city down. We let each other down. I believe in this team. That’s what just sucks. We’re a good team, but ultimately for three [home] games, we don’t seem it.”
The fourth-seeded Pacers will now await the winner of the matchup between the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks. New York have a 3-1 advantage in the series with Game 5 on Wednesday night in Boston.