Wrap-Up -- The Cavaliers came into Friday’s matchup with Indiana looking to eliminate the feisty Pacers and advance to the next round. Instead, they’ll be fighting for their Playoff lives on Sunday at The Q.
The third-quarter bugaboo that had plagued the Wine & Gold all season – and again through the First Round – reared its ugly head again on Friday, as the Cavaliers were outscored, 35-20, in the period as the Pacers pulled away in the second half to hand Cleveland a lopsided 121-87 loss in Game 6 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
The Cavaliers took an 8-2 lead just minutes into the game, but that was as good as it would get as Indiana turned up the heat after intermission – turning a 10-point halftime lead into a 20-point advantage halfway through the third quarter.