Updated NBA Playoff Bracket 2025 Picture, Schedule After Cavs, Nuggets Win Game 3s
The Cleveland Cavaliers played their way back into the second-round series with the Indiana Pacers.
Cleveland got Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and DeAndre Hunter back for Friday's Game 3, and while the depth was needed, it was the team's superstar, Donovan Mitchell, who took over the contest.
Mitchell produced 33 points in the Cavs' victory in which all five starters found their way into double figures.
The Denver Nuggets outdid the Cavs in the nightcap, as they took a 2-1 lead over the Oklahoma City Thunder with an overtime win powered by Aaron Gordon.
Gordon made the game-tying shot in the fourth quarter and the entire Denver team took over to seal the win in the extra period.
Upcoming Schedule
Game 3: Boston at New York (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET)
Game 3: Minnesota at Golden State (Saturday, 8:30 p.m. ET)
Cleveland 126, Indiana 104
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The full strength Cavaliers blew out the Pacers in Indianapolis.
Cleveland broke away in the second quarter, when it outscored the Pacers 34-13.
Donovan Mitchell and three other starters were in double digits before the halftime break.
Mitchell was even better than his 17-point first-half performance in the final two quarters. Cleveland's superstar finished with 42 points on 14-for-29 shooting from the field.
Mitchell and Max Strus combined to hit nine three-point shots between them. Strus was Cleveland's second-best scorer with 20 points.
Indiana's starting lineup was far less effective than Mitchell and Co. Tyrese Haliburton was held to four points.
The Pacers inched within a 11 points a few minutes into the fourth quarter thanks to a great effort from the second unit, but they were unable to get any closer to the No. 1 seed.
Denver 113, Oklahoma City 104 (OT)
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Aaron Gordon added to his collection of big shots from this postseason with a game-tying three-pointer to send Game 3 to overtime.
Denver broke the game open in overtime on an 11-2 run to seal its second win of the series. Michael Porter Jr. made one of the biggest shots in overtime to extend Denver's lead to five.
Gordon, Porter, Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic all scored over 20 points for the victorious side. Jokic had an off night by his standards with an 8-for-25 game from the field. The big man still had 20 points and 16 rebounds.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a not-so-great performance as well. He finished with 18 points on 7-for-22 shooting.
Jalen Williams led the Thunder with 32 points, but no other OKC player had more than 18.
Denver has a chance to put OKC under some intense pressure at Ball Arena in Game 4 on Sunday.
