The Indiana Pacers emphatically pushed the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers to the brink of playoff elimination with a dominant 129-109 win to take a 3-1 series lead.

The Cavaliers are aiming to return to Cleveland tied with the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference semifinals. In a virtual must-win scenario, the Cavs prevailed 126-104 in Game 3, narrowing their deficit to 2-1 in the best-of-seven,

The Pacers entered halftime with a 41-point lead, having absolutely dominated during the opening two quarters on their home court at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. It was nothing short of a shellacking, as Indiana more than doubled the total points scored by the Cavs in the first half, 80–39.