Mitchell the man to end Cavaliers' NBA playoff slide
Donovan Mitchell has refused to let another fourth-quarter lead slip away from Cleveland.
So with home fans on their feet, expecting Indiana to cut what had been a 24-point deficit to single digits, Mitchell took the game into his own hands. He hit a 13-foot fade-away, then a pull-up three-pointer and finally found Max Strus for another triple and the Cavaliers went on to a 126-104 victory on Friday night.
"I couldn't let it happen again, and it wasn't just me," Mitchell said after finishing with 43 points and nine rebounds to cut their Eastern Conference semi-final series deficit to 2-1.
"I know I scored, but like, we got stops, made plays. But for me, just trying to be the aggressor."
The road team has won all three games, and the Pacers will have another chance to break that trend Sunday in Game 4.
But Cleveland were desperate to avoid falling into a 3-0 hole and used everything in their arsenal to hold on.
NBA Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley and key backup De'Andre Hutner returned from injuries after missing Game 2. All-Star guard Darius Garland also returned from a toe injury that kept him out of four straight games.
Strus made four triples and had 20 points, seven rebounds and seven assists in a game the Cavs never trailed.
Bennedict Mathurin led the hosts with 23 points. Pascal Siakam had 18 and Tyrese Haliburton finished with four points and five assists - his first career home loss in a post-season game he's appeared.
"This was a very poor effort at the beginning of the game, through so many parts of the game," Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said.
"Clearly, I didn't have these guys ready for this. Ty had a rough game. I have to do more to get him in better positions to have better shots."
Tempers flared at times with the Pacers drawing five technical fouls. On the court, though, Cleveland controlled the game after breaking a 36-36 tie with a 25-4 run, which gave them a 66-45 halftime cushion.
Indiana closed to 104-93 early in the fourth before Mitchell and Strus led the game-sealing scoring flurry.
In Denver, Jamal Murray scored 27 points and Michael Porter Jr hit 21 clutch points to lead the Denver Nuggets past the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder 113-104 in overtime for a 2-1 lead in their Western Conference semi-final series.
Nikola Jokic added 20 points and 16 rebounds, and Aaron Gordon had 22 points for the Nuggets, who led by no more than two points in regulation but went on an 11-2 run in the extra period.
Jokic went 8-for-25 from the field and missed all 10 of his three-pointers, but started the overtime flourish with a finger-roll lay-up and the Nuggets never trailed again.
The other NBA MVP front-runner, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, also had a tough night, missing 15 of 22 shots, going 1-for-6 from deep and finishing with 18 points.
Jalen Williams led OKC with 32 points and Chet Holmgren chipped in with 18.
Scores were tied at 102-102 after regulation, and both Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic missed potential winners in the closing seconds of regular time.
Game 4 is on Sunday (Monday AEST) at Ball Arena.
Donovan Mitchell has refused to let another fourth-quarter lead slip away from Cleveland.
So with home fans on their feet, expecting Indiana to cut what had been a 24-point deficit to single digits, Mitchell took the game into his own hands. He hit a 13-foot fade-away, then a pull-up three-pointer and finally found Max Strus for another triple and the Cavaliers went on to a 126-104 victory on Friday night.
"I couldn't let it happen again, and it wasn't just me," Mitchell said after finishing with 43 points and nine rebounds to cut their Eastern Conference semi-final series deficit to 2-1.
"I know I scored, but like, we got stops, made plays. But for me, just trying to be the aggressor."
The road team has won all three games, and the Pacers will have another chance to break that trend Sunday in Game 4.
But Cleveland were desperate to avoid falling into a 3-0 hole and used everything in their arsenal to hold on.
NBA Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley and key backup De'Andre Hutner returned from injuries after missing Game 2. All-Star guard Darius Garland also returned from a toe injury that kept him out of four straight games.
Strus made four triples and had 20 points, seven rebounds and seven assists in a game the Cavs never trailed.
Bennedict Mathurin led the hosts with 23 points. Pascal Siakam had 18 and Tyrese Haliburton finished with four points and five assists - his first career home loss in a post-season game he's appeared.
"This was a very poor effort at the beginning of the game, through so many parts of the game," Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said.
"Clearly, I didn't have these guys ready for this. Ty had a rough game. I have to do more to get him in better positions to have better shots."
Tempers flared at times with the Pacers drawing five technical fouls. On the court, though, Cleveland controlled the game after breaking a 36-36 tie with a 25-4 run, which gave them a 66-45 halftime cushion.
Indiana closed to 104-93 early in the fourth before Mitchell and Strus led the game-sealing scoring flurry.
In Denver, Jamal Murray scored 27 points and Michael Porter Jr hit 21 clutch points to lead the Denver Nuggets past the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder 113-104 in overtime for a 2-1 lead in their Western Conference semi-final series.
Nikola Jokic added 20 points and 16 rebounds, and Aaron Gordon had 22 points for the Nuggets, who led by no more than two points in regulation but went on an 11-2 run in the extra period.
Jokic went 8-for-25 from the field and missed all 10 of his three-pointers, but started the overtime flourish with a finger-roll lay-up and the Nuggets never trailed again.
The other NBA MVP front-runner, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, also had a tough night, missing 15 of 22 shots, going 1-for-6 from deep and finishing with 18 points.
Jalen Williams led OKC with 32 points and Chet Holmgren chipped in with 18.
Scores were tied at 102-102 after regulation, and both Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic missed potential winners in the closing seconds of regular time.
Game 4 is on Sunday (Monday AEST) at Ball Arena.
Donovan Mitchell has refused to let another fourth-quarter lead slip away from Cleveland.
So with home fans on their feet, expecting Indiana to cut what had been a 24-point deficit to single digits, Mitchell took the game into his own hands. He hit a 13-foot fade-away, then a pull-up three-pointer and finally found Max Strus for another triple and the Cavaliers went on to a 126-104 victory on Friday night.
"I couldn't let it happen again, and it wasn't just me," Mitchell said after finishing with 43 points and nine rebounds to cut their Eastern Conference semi-final series deficit to 2-1.
"I know I scored, but like, we got stops, made plays. But for me, just trying to be the aggressor."
The road team has won all three games, and the Pacers will have another chance to break that trend Sunday in Game 4.
But Cleveland were desperate to avoid falling into a 3-0 hole and used everything in their arsenal to hold on.
NBA Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley and key backup De'Andre Hutner returned from injuries after missing Game 2. All-Star guard Darius Garland also returned from a toe injury that kept him out of four straight games.
Strus made four triples and had 20 points, seven rebounds and seven assists in a game the Cavs never trailed.
Bennedict Mathurin led the hosts with 23 points. Pascal Siakam had 18 and Tyrese Haliburton finished with four points and five assists - his first career home loss in a post-season game he's appeared.
"This was a very poor effort at the beginning of the game, through so many parts of the game," Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said.
"Clearly, I didn't have these guys ready for this. Ty had a rough game. I have to do more to get him in better positions to have better shots."
Tempers flared at times with the Pacers drawing five technical fouls. On the court, though, Cleveland controlled the game after breaking a 36-36 tie with a 25-4 run, which gave them a 66-45 halftime cushion.
Indiana closed to 104-93 early in the fourth before Mitchell and Strus led the game-sealing scoring flurry.
In Denver, Jamal Murray scored 27 points and Michael Porter Jr hit 21 clutch points to lead the Denver Nuggets past the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder 113-104 in overtime for a 2-1 lead in their Western Conference semi-final series.
Nikola Jokic added 20 points and 16 rebounds, and Aaron Gordon had 22 points for the Nuggets, who led by no more than two points in regulation but went on an 11-2 run in the extra period.
Jokic went 8-for-25 from the field and missed all 10 of his three-pointers, but started the overtime flourish with a finger-roll lay-up and the Nuggets never trailed again.
The other NBA MVP front-runner, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, also had a tough night, missing 15 of 22 shots, going 1-for-6 from deep and finishing with 18 points.
Jalen Williams led OKC with 32 points and Chet Holmgren chipped in with 18.
Scores were tied at 102-102 after regulation, and both Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic missed potential winners in the closing seconds of regular time.
Game 4 is on Sunday (Monday AEST) at Ball Arena.
Donovan Mitchell has refused to let another fourth-quarter lead slip away from Cleveland.
So with home fans on their feet, expecting Indiana to cut what had been a 24-point deficit to single digits, Mitchell took the game into his own hands. He hit a 13-foot fade-away, then a pull-up three-pointer and finally found Max Strus for another triple and the Cavaliers went on to a 126-104 victory on Friday night.
"I couldn't let it happen again, and it wasn't just me," Mitchell said after finishing with 43 points and nine rebounds to cut their Eastern Conference semi-final series deficit to 2-1.
"I know I scored, but like, we got stops, made plays. But for me, just trying to be the aggressor."
The road team has won all three games, and the Pacers will have another chance to break that trend Sunday in Game 4.
But Cleveland were desperate to avoid falling into a 3-0 hole and used everything in their arsenal to hold on.
NBA Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley and key backup De'Andre Hutner returned from injuries after missing Game 2. All-Star guard Darius Garland also returned from a toe injury that kept him out of four straight games.
Strus made four triples and had 20 points, seven rebounds and seven assists in a game the Cavs never trailed.
Bennedict Mathurin led the hosts with 23 points. Pascal Siakam had 18 and Tyrese Haliburton finished with four points and five assists - his first career home loss in a post-season game he's appeared.
"This was a very poor effort at the beginning of the game, through so many parts of the game," Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said.
"Clearly, I didn't have these guys ready for this. Ty had a rough game. I have to do more to get him in better positions to have better shots."
Tempers flared at times with the Pacers drawing five technical fouls. On the court, though, Cleveland controlled the game after breaking a 36-36 tie with a 25-4 run, which gave them a 66-45 halftime cushion.
Indiana closed to 104-93 early in the fourth before Mitchell and Strus led the game-sealing scoring flurry.
In Denver, Jamal Murray scored 27 points and Michael Porter Jr hit 21 clutch points to lead the Denver Nuggets past the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder 113-104 in overtime for a 2-1 lead in their Western Conference semi-final series.
Nikola Jokic added 20 points and 16 rebounds, and Aaron Gordon had 22 points for the Nuggets, who led by no more than two points in regulation but went on an 11-2 run in the extra period.
Jokic went 8-for-25 from the field and missed all 10 of his three-pointers, but started the overtime flourish with a finger-roll lay-up and the Nuggets never trailed again.
The other NBA MVP front-runner, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, also had a tough night, missing 15 of 22 shots, going 1-for-6 from deep and finishing with 18 points.
Jalen Williams led OKC with 32 points and Chet Holmgren chipped in with 18.
Scores were tied at 102-102 after regulation, and both Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic missed potential winners in the closing seconds of regular time.
Game 4 is on Sunday (Monday AEST) at Ball Arena.
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"As I expected, the others got closer and closer every session. In the race, the pace of Alex and Pecco (Bagnaia) was super fast, but it was consistent. (I was) just controlling the race distance. "And the celebration together with my brother was amazing. The best way to come back with full Ducatis in the top." The two Marquez brothers also danced arm-in-arm in front of the home fans sitting in a special stand dedicated to Spain's fastest brothers on two wheels. Heading into the race weekend, the Marquez brothers had also been involved in social media banter over who their mother would support and Marc had the last laugh when he handed her a red Ducati shirt at the winners' circle in the paddock. Marc had broken the lap record to take his 99th career pole before claiming a seventh sprint victory of the season on Saturday despite a poor start, but this time he shot off the line with a perfect launch to lead into turn one. Alex stayed in second place but behind them it was KTM's Pedro Acosta who sparred with Bagnaia for third as they constantly swapped positions, using each other's slipstream to overtake, but the more-experienced Bagnaia held on. Up front, Marc continued to set fastest laps as he streaked away with Alex unable to match his pace, as his brother slowly but surely extended his advantage at one of his favourite circuits which has a corner named after him. The younger Marquez sibling was soon looking over his shoulder to see Bagnaia eating up the distance between them while KTM's Brad Binder crashed in fifth place, leaving the crew chief of the struggling team fuming in the pit lane. But Alex quickly found his rhythm to stay in second while Bagnaia fended off Acosta to prevent an all-Spanish podium. Bagnaia, who is third in the championship, now sits 93 points behind Marc. Australian rider Jack Miller finished 14th on his Pramac Yamaha, some 26.761 seconds behind. 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"As I expected, the others got closer and closer every session. In the race, the pace of Alex and Pecco (Bagnaia) was super fast, but it was consistent. (I was) just controlling the race distance. "And the celebration together with my brother was amazing. The best way to come back with full Ducatis in the top." The two Marquez brothers also danced arm-in-arm in front of the home fans sitting in a special stand dedicated to Spain's fastest brothers on two wheels. Heading into the race weekend, the Marquez brothers had also been involved in social media banter over who their mother would support and Marc had the last laugh when he handed her a red Ducati shirt at the winners' circle in the paddock. Marc had broken the lap record to take his 99th career pole before claiming a seventh sprint victory of the season on Saturday despite a poor start, but this time he shot off the line with a perfect launch to lead into turn one. Alex stayed in second place but behind them it was KTM's Pedro Acosta who sparred with Bagnaia for third as they constantly swapped positions, using each other's slipstream to overtake, but the more-experienced Bagnaia held on. Up front, Marc continued to set fastest laps as he streaked away with Alex unable to match his pace, as his brother slowly but surely extended his advantage at one of his favourite circuits which has a corner named after him. The younger Marquez sibling was soon looking over his shoulder to see Bagnaia eating up the distance between them while KTM's Brad Binder crashed in fifth place, leaving the crew chief of the struggling team fuming in the pit lane. But Alex quickly found his rhythm to stay in second while Bagnaia fended off Acosta to prevent an all-Spanish podium. Bagnaia, who is third in the championship, now sits 93 points behind Marc. Australian rider Jack Miller finished 14th on his Pramac Yamaha, some 26.761 seconds behind. Marc Marquez proved once again that he was the master of the circuit at MotorLand as the Ducati rider won the Aragon Grand Prix from pole to extend his lead in the MotoGP championship. Marquez's brother Alex finished second for Gresini Racing while Marc's teammate Francesco Bagnaia came third as Ducati bikes swept the podium on Sunday. Marc had completed the perfect weekend last year to win his first race in 1043 days at the same circuit and he repeated his feat, the polesitter and sprint winner claiming a record-extending seventh MotoGP victory at the track. Such was Marquez's dominance this weekend that he became the first rider in 10 years to lead every session -- including warm-ups, practice and qualifying -- since he did it himself at the German Grand Prix in 2015. "It was an amazing weekend. Leading all the practices, full focus, just full concentration," said Marquez, who now leads his brother by 32 points in the championship. "As I expected, the others got closer and closer every session. In the race, the pace of Alex and Pecco (Bagnaia) was super fast, but it was consistent. (I was) just controlling the race distance. "And the celebration together with my brother was amazing. The best way to come back with full Ducatis in the top." The two Marquez brothers also danced arm-in-arm in front of the home fans sitting in a special stand dedicated to Spain's fastest brothers on two wheels. Heading into the race weekend, the Marquez brothers had also been involved in social media banter over who their mother would support and Marc had the last laugh when he handed her a red Ducati shirt at the winners' circle in the paddock. Marc had broken the lap record to take his 99th career pole before claiming a seventh sprint victory of the season on Saturday despite a poor start, but this time he shot off the line with a perfect launch to lead into turn one. Alex stayed in second place but behind them it was KTM's Pedro Acosta who sparred with Bagnaia for third as they constantly swapped positions, using each other's slipstream to overtake, but the more-experienced Bagnaia held on. Up front, Marc continued to set fastest laps as he streaked away with Alex unable to match his pace, as his brother slowly but surely extended his advantage at one of his favourite circuits which has a corner named after him. The younger Marquez sibling was soon looking over his shoulder to see Bagnaia eating up the distance between them while KTM's Brad Binder crashed in fifth place, leaving the crew chief of the struggling team fuming in the pit lane. But Alex quickly found his rhythm to stay in second while Bagnaia fended off Acosta to prevent an all-Spanish podium. Bagnaia, who is third in the championship, now sits 93 points behind Marc. Australian rider Jack Miller finished 14th on his Pramac Yamaha, some 26.761 seconds behind. Marc Marquez proved once again that he was the master of the circuit at MotorLand as the Ducati rider won the Aragon Grand Prix from pole to extend his lead in the MotoGP championship. Marquez's brother Alex finished second for Gresini Racing while Marc's teammate Francesco Bagnaia came third as Ducati bikes swept the podium on Sunday. Marc had completed the perfect weekend last year to win his first race in 1043 days at the same circuit and he repeated his feat, the polesitter and sprint winner claiming a record-extending seventh MotoGP victory at the track. Such was Marquez's dominance this weekend that he became the first rider in 10 years to lead every session -- including warm-ups, practice and qualifying -- since he did it himself at the German Grand Prix in 2015. "It was an amazing weekend. Leading all the practices, full focus, just full concentration," said Marquez, who now leads his brother by 32 points in the championship. "As I expected, the others got closer and closer every session. In the race, the pace of Alex and Pecco (Bagnaia) was super fast, but it was consistent. (I was) just controlling the race distance. "And the celebration together with my brother was amazing. The best way to come back with full Ducatis in the top." The two Marquez brothers also danced arm-in-arm in front of the home fans sitting in a special stand dedicated to Spain's fastest brothers on two wheels. Heading into the race weekend, the Marquez brothers had also been involved in social media banter over who their mother would support and Marc had the last laugh when he handed her a red Ducati shirt at the winners' circle in the paddock. Marc had broken the lap record to take his 99th career pole before claiming a seventh sprint victory of the season on Saturday despite a poor start, but this time he shot off the line with a perfect launch to lead into turn one. Alex stayed in second place but behind them it was KTM's Pedro Acosta who sparred with Bagnaia for third as they constantly swapped positions, using each other's slipstream to overtake, but the more-experienced Bagnaia held on. Up front, Marc continued to set fastest laps as he streaked away with Alex unable to match his pace, as his brother slowly but surely extended his advantage at one of his favourite circuits which has a corner named after him. The younger Marquez sibling was soon looking over his shoulder to see Bagnaia eating up the distance between them while KTM's Brad Binder crashed in fifth place, leaving the crew chief of the struggling team fuming in the pit lane. But Alex quickly found his rhythm to stay in second while Bagnaia fended off Acosta to prevent an all-Spanish podium. Bagnaia, who is third in the championship, now sits 93 points behind Marc. Australian rider Jack Miller finished 14th on his Pramac Yamaha, some 26.761 seconds behind.
Perth Now
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Unstoppable Marc Marquez roars to Aragon Grand Prix win
Marc Marquez proved once again that he was the master of the circuit at MotorLand as the Ducati rider won the Aragon Grand Prix from pole to extend his lead in the MotoGP championship. Marquez's brother Alex finished second for Gresini Racing while Marc's teammate Francesco Bagnaia came third as Ducati bikes swept the podium on Sunday. Marc had completed the perfect weekend last year to win his first race in 1043 days at the same circuit and he repeated his feat, the polesitter and sprint winner claiming a record-extending seventh MotoGP victory at the track. Such was Marquez's dominance this weekend that he became the first rider in 10 years to lead every session -- including warm-ups, practice and qualifying -- since he did it himself at the German Grand Prix in 2015. "It was an amazing weekend. Leading all the practices, full focus, just full concentration," said Marquez, who now leads his brother by 32 points in the championship. "As I expected, the others got closer and closer every session. In the race, the pace of Alex and Pecco (Bagnaia) was super fast, but it was consistent. (I was) just controlling the race distance. "And the celebration together with my brother was amazing. The best way to come back with full Ducatis in the top." The two Marquez brothers also danced arm-in-arm in front of the home fans sitting in a special stand dedicated to Spain's fastest brothers on two wheels. Heading into the race weekend, the Marquez brothers had also been involved in social media banter over who their mother would support and Marc had the last laugh when he handed her a red Ducati shirt at the winners' circle in the paddock. Marc had broken the lap record to take his 99th career pole before claiming a seventh sprint victory of the season on Saturday despite a poor start, but this time he shot off the line with a perfect launch to lead into turn one. Alex stayed in second place but behind them it was KTM's Pedro Acosta who sparred with Bagnaia for third as they constantly swapped positions, using each other's slipstream to overtake, but the more-experienced Bagnaia held on. Up front, Marc continued to set fastest laps as he streaked away with Alex unable to match his pace, as his brother slowly but surely extended his advantage at one of his favourite circuits which has a corner named after him. The younger Marquez sibling was soon looking over his shoulder to see Bagnaia eating up the distance between them while KTM's Brad Binder crashed in fifth place, leaving the crew chief of the struggling team fuming in the pit lane. But Alex quickly found his rhythm to stay in second while Bagnaia fended off Acosta to prevent an all-Spanish podium. Bagnaia, who is third in the championship, now sits 93 points behind Marc. Australian rider Jack Miller finished 14th on his Pramac Yamaha, some 26.761 seconds behind.
West Australian
4 hours ago
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Unstoppable Marc Marquez roars to Aragon Grand Prix win
Marc Marquez proved once again that he was the master of the circuit at MotorLand as the Ducati rider won the Aragon Grand Prix from pole to extend his lead in the MotoGP championship. Marquez's brother Alex finished second for Gresini Racing while Marc's teammate Francesco Bagnaia came third as Ducati bikes swept the podium on Sunday. Marc had completed the perfect weekend last year to win his first race in 1043 days at the same circuit and he repeated his feat, the polesitter and sprint winner claiming a record-extending seventh MotoGP victory at the track. Such was Marquez's dominance this weekend that he became the first rider in 10 years to lead every session -- including warm-ups, practice and qualifying -- since he did it himself at the German Grand Prix in 2015. "It was an amazing weekend. Leading all the practices, full focus, just full concentration," said Marquez, who now leads his brother by 32 points in the championship. "As I expected, the others got closer and closer every session. In the race, the pace of Alex and Pecco (Bagnaia) was super fast, but it was consistent. (I was) just controlling the race distance. "And the celebration together with my brother was amazing. The best way to come back with full Ducatis in the top." The two Marquez brothers also danced arm-in-arm in front of the home fans sitting in a special stand dedicated to Spain's fastest brothers on two wheels. Heading into the race weekend, the Marquez brothers had also been involved in social media banter over who their mother would support and Marc had the last laugh when he handed her a red Ducati shirt at the winners' circle in the paddock. Marc had broken the lap record to take his 99th career pole before claiming a seventh sprint victory of the season on Saturday despite a poor start, but this time he shot off the line with a perfect launch to lead into turn one. Alex stayed in second place but behind them it was KTM's Pedro Acosta who sparred with Bagnaia for third as they constantly swapped positions, using each other's slipstream to overtake, but the more-experienced Bagnaia held on. Up front, Marc continued to set fastest laps as he streaked away with Alex unable to match his pace, as his brother slowly but surely extended his advantage at one of his favourite circuits which has a corner named after him. The younger Marquez sibling was soon looking over his shoulder to see Bagnaia eating up the distance between them while KTM's Brad Binder crashed in fifth place, leaving the crew chief of the struggling team fuming in the pit lane. But Alex quickly found his rhythm to stay in second while Bagnaia fended off Acosta to prevent an all-Spanish podium. Bagnaia, who is third in the championship, now sits 93 points behind Marc. Australian rider Jack Miller finished 14th on his Pramac Yamaha, some 26.761 seconds behind.
