NBA Playoffs: Pacers push Cavs to brink, Thunder edge Nuggets to knot series

Sunday night in the NBA Playoffs featured pivotal Game 4 matchups in both Conference Semifinals, resulting in starkly different outcomes that significantly reshaped the series.

(3) Indiana Pacers-Cleveland Cavaliers (1): 129-109

In the Eastern Conference, the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers suffered a demoralizing defeat at the hands of the Indiana Pacers, losing 129-109. The resounding victory gives the Pacers a commanding 3-1 series lead, pushing the Cavaliers to the verge of elimination. Adding to Cleveland's woes, star guard Donovan Mitchell was forced to exit the game at halftime due to a left ankle injury and did not return. He finished with 12 points and is scheduled for an MRI on Monday.

The Pacers' offense was explosive, scoring 129 points, just one shy of their franchise playoff record. After struggling against Cleveland's 3-2 zone defense in Game 3, Indiana appeared to find all the answers, effectively dissecting the zone by screening the top and zipping the ball across the court to generate open shots. This led to an "avalanche" of offense that Cleveland was unable to contain, resulting in a massive 41-point halftime lead, which is tied for the largest in NBA postseason history. The Pacers were efficient shooters, hitting 12 of 18 three-pointers in the first half, and also demonstrated improvement in limiting turnovers and being more active on the glass compared to previous games.

Pascal Siakam led Indiana with 21 points, supported by Obi Toppin and Myles Turner, who each added 20. The game saw Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin ejected in the first quarter after pushing Cavaliers defender De'Andre Hunter. The Cavaliers' performance was notably poor, described as "unprepared, overmatched, timid and weak," plagued by numerous turnovers and defensive lapses that rendered their zone ineffective.

With Mitchell's health now uncertain, the Cavaliers face the possibility of a playoff collapse, reminiscent of their previous postseason exit when Mitchell was sidelined by injury. Mitchell's status is viewed as critical for Cleveland's chances in Game 5 back home on Tuesday.

(2) Denver Nuggets-Oklahoma City Thunder (2): 87-92

Meanwhile, in the Western Conference, the Oklahoma City Thunder secured a crucial 92-87 victory over the Denver Nuggets, successfully tying their hard-fought series at 2-2. The Nuggets started slowly, scoring only eight points in the first quarter, allowing the Thunder to build an early advantage. Denver managed to rally in the second and third quarters, taking a lead, but their offense went dry in the fourth quarter, being outscored by 11 points. Costly mistakes in the final minutes, including a five-second violation coming out of a timeout and missed free throws by Nikola Jokić and Aaron Gordon, proved detrimental.

Jokić led Denver with 27 points and 13 rebounds but struggled with execution in crunchtime. The article notes the Nuggets looked "worn down" and lacked execution late, losing in the final minutes for the first time in the series.

Russell Westbrook's performance presented a duality; while his energy is a valuable asset, his offensive limitations and fouls in the fourth quarter proved devastating, contributing to putting OKC into the penalty. The Thunder, conversely, rule[d] in crunchtime, making the necessary plays in the fourth quarter with their season effectively on the line. They also demonstrated their ability to handle quick turnarounds between games effectively.

Key contributions came from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored 25 points, and a pivotal lineup early in the fourth quarter that provided a crucial lift for Oklahoma City. The win shifts momentum back in favor of the Thunder as the series heads back to Oklahoma City for a pivotal Game 5 on Tuesday.