Underdog Story Gets Wilder

The Indiana Pacers just pulled off a playoff stunner that'll have basketball fans talking for years. On Sunday night, they didn't just beat the Cleveland Cavaliers - they rewrote the history books with an 80-39 halftime lead, matching the NBA's biggest playoff cushion since 2017. Final score? A decisive 129-109 win that puts them one victory away from the Eastern Conference Finals.

When Everything Clicked

This wasn't just a good half - it was basketball perfection:

•  60% shooting from the field

•  12/18 three-pointers (that's 66.7%!)

•  25 assists (playoff record for a half)

"我们的进攻就像交响乐团找到了完美节奏," coach Rick Carlisle told reporters post-game. Three Pacers - Pascal Siakam, Myles Turner, and surprise star Obi Toppin - all hit the 20-point mark before halftime.

Cavaliers' Perfect Storm of Trouble

Cleveland's nightmare started before tip-off:

•  3 starters injured (Evan Mobley, Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell)

•  Experimental lineups backfired

•  25% first-half shooting

Coach Kenny Atkinson admitted: "When your top defenders are in suits, every mistake gets magnified." The Cavs' three total assists before halftime told the whole story.

Pacers' Next-Level Resilience

Losing Bennedict Mathurin to a flagrant-2 ejection in the 1st quarter? No problem. Tyrese Haliburton stepped up with 17 points and 11 assists through three quarters, proving why he's this postseason's breakout star.

"真正的球队能在逆境中成长," Haliburton said during the presser. Bench players Andrew Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith kept the pressure on, combining for 28 points.

Why This Game Changes Everything

1. Record Alert: Pacers joined 2017 Cavaliers in the 41-point halftime club

2. Series Shift: 3-1 lead feels insurmountable against depleted Cavs

3. Dark Horse Status: Indiana's beaten Bucks and now outscoring opponents by 18.3 PPG

Cleveland's Breaking Point

The Cavaliers' 64-win regular season means nothing now. With key players sidelined and Game 5 at home, they need:

•  Quick injury recoveries

•  Defensive overhaul

•  Mental reset

As ESPN analyst Brian Windhorst put it: "This isn't adjustment basketball anymore - it's survival mode."

What's Next?

Tuesday's Game 5 in Cleveland could be historic:

•  Pacers seek first Conference Finals since 2004

•  Cavs fighting to avoid earliest playoff exit as #3 seed

•  NBA oddsmakers now favor Indiana 89% to advance

Whether you're a die-hard Pacers fan or just love playoff drama, this series proves why basketball's best moments happen when you least expect them. As the teams head to Ohio, one question remains - can anyone stop Indiana's Cinderella run?