Donovan Mitchell scored 43 points as Cleveland beat Indiana 126-104 in Game 3 and cut the Pacers’ series lead to 2-1.
Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and De’Andre Hunter all returned from injury, giving the Cavaliers the depth they had missed in the opening two games.
Cleveland takes control before half-time
The Cavaliers opened with an 11-0 run. Indiana recovered to tie the score, but Cleveland answered with 25 of the next 29 points.
Kenny Atkinson’s team led 66-45 at the break and never trailed. Mitchell followed his 48-point Game 2 with another commanding performance, adding nine rebounds and five assists.
Max Strus scored 20, Jarrett Allen had 19 points and 12 rebounds, and Cleveland won the rebounding battle 56-37.
Injured trio gives Cavaliers a lift
Mobley returned from an ankle injury with 18 points, 13 rebounds, three steals and three blocks.
Garland played 25 minutes after missing four playoff games with a sprained toe. Hunter added eight points from the bench in his return from a thumb injury.
Mitchell said their presence changed the team even before they reached full fitness.
Mitchell stops Indiana’s late push
The Pacers cut a 24-point deficit to 11 early in the fourth quarter. Mitchell responded with a fadeaway, a pull-up three and an assist for another Strus three.
Tyrese Haliburton finished with four points and five assists after hitting the winner in Game 2. Bennedict Mathurin led Indiana with 23 from the bench.
Cleveland handed the Pacers their first home loss of the series and reopened a matchup that had threatened to get away from them.
