In a thrilling turn of events, the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Denver Nuggets evened their NBA playoff series on Friday night, ensuring a deciding Game 5 in their respective conferences.

Eastern Conference: Cavaliers even series against Pacers

The Cavaliers, bolstered by the return of key players, handed the Indiana Pacers a 126-104 defeat, tying their series at 2-2. Donovan Mitchell led the charge with a sensational 43-point performance (14-29 FG, 9 rebounds, 5 assists), backed by a balanced Cavaliers attack, with all starters scoring in double figures.

Cleveland convincingly outrebounded Indiana 56-37 (18 offensive) and clamped down on defense, limiting the Pacers to just 34 points in the second quarter. Coach Kenny Atkinson’s defensive strategy paid off, as Indiana’s top scorer, Tyrese Haliburton, was held to just 4 points on 2-8 shooting.

The Cavaliers will look to build on their momentum when they face the Pacers again in Game 5 this Sunday in Indianapolis.

Western Conference: Nuggets claw back against Thunder in overtime

Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets forced a Game 5 by outlasting the Oklahoma City Thunder 113-104 in overtime. Despite struggling mightily from long range (9-37 3PT), Denver saw remarkable performances from Jamal Murray (27 points, 8 assists), Aaron Gordon (22 points, 8 rebounds), and Michael Porter Jr. (21 points, 8 rebounds), who combined to keep the Nuggets afloat.

Though Nikola Jokic had an off-night (20 points, 16 rebounds, 6 assists, 8 turnovers), his teammates bailed him out, ensuring a decider in their series this Sunday in Denver.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Who are the MVP favorites and how did they perform?

  Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder) and Nikola Jokic (Nuggets) are MVP favorites, but neither lived up to their billing in Game 3. Jokic had an off-night, while SGA was relatively quiet.

• What were the keys to victory for the Cavaliers?

  Balanced scoring, mental toughness, and a strong defensive performance that limited the Pacers to just 34 points in the second quarter.

• Why was Game 3 between Nuggets and Thunder so exciting?

  Both teams displayed relentless effort, clutch shots, and surprising contributions from role players, culminating in an overtime thriller.

Did you know?

The Cavaliers’ 28-point comeback in Game 3 was the largest in NBA playoff history, surpassing the New York Knicks’ 27-point comeback in 2013.

Stay tuned for more thrilling NBA playoff action! Don’t forget to share your thoughts and reactions in the comments section below.