The Cleveland Cavaliers enter Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals under significant pressure, trailing 0–2 in the series after suffering back-to-back home losses to the Indiana Pacers. For a team that finished the regular season with a dominant 64–18 record and was praised for its defensive efficiency and balanced scoring, the postseason has thus far exposed vulnerabilities that were largely hidden over the course of their first-round series. Most glaringly, injuries to key players—particularly Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and De’Andre Hunter—have disrupted the Cavaliers’ offensive flow and defensive identity, forcing the team to rely heavily on Donovan Mitchell to carry the scoring load. Mitchell has responded with high-level performances, including an explosive 48-point outing in Game 2, but his individual brilliance hasn’t been enough to offset Cleveland’s lack of depth and overall execution. The supporting cast has been wildly inconsistent—Ty Jerome struggled in Game 2 with a 1-for-14 shooting night, while others like Caris LeVert and Max Strus have failed to stretch the floor effectively against Indiana’s disciplined defense. Offensively, Cleveland’s ball movement has stalled, with Indiana’s refusal to switch screens and tight closeouts forcing the Cavaliers into low-efficiency midrange attempts or contested threes.

Defensively, Cleveland hasn’t looked like the elite unit that ranked near the top in opponent field goal percentage during the regular season; they’ve been vulnerable in transition and late to rotations, especially when defending Tyrese Haliburton-led actions. Coach Kenny Atkinson, who earned Coach of the Year honors for maximizing Cleveland’s roster during the regular season, now faces his toughest challenge—reconfiguring his team’s game plan to generate easier looks while protecting the paint without Mobley’s presence. The Cavaliers still have strengths they can leverage, including the size and athleticism of Jarrett Allen, whose presence could tilt the rebounding battle if used effectively on both ends. Additionally, if Garland is able to return, even in a limited capacity, it could provide the secondary playmaking and spacing that has been sorely lacking. The Cavs were one of the best ATS teams during the regular season at 51–36–1, and they’ve proven resilient all year when coming off losses. Game 3 will test that resilience more than any prior matchup this season. If Cleveland is to climb back into the series, they’ll need to make quick, decisive adjustments—mitigating turnovers, speeding up offensive sets, and getting reliable production from their role players. They must also defend with more urgency, close out possessions, and limit Indiana’s points off turnovers. With their season essentially on the line, the Cavaliers need a total team effort in Indianapolis to avoid a 3–0 deficit and keep their championship aspirations alive.