Cavaliers vs Pacers G3 Preview: Haliburton Shock 3-0 Garland Mobley Hunter is expected to make a comeback

At 7:30 a.m. Beijing time on May 10, the Pacers will play the Cavaliers at home to start Game 3 of the series. In the first two games, the Pacers beat the Cavaliers back-to-back away games to take a 2-0 lead in the overall game. In the G3 game, the Cavaliers' Garland, Mobley and Hunter are all expected to return, while Haliburton is looking to beat the Cavaliers again at home and get the match point.

Haliburton was previously voted the NBA's "Most Overrated Player" by his peers in an anonymous vote of players conducted by The Athletic, and now he seems determined to rewrite that rating.

In the final minute of the Pacers' seven-overtime win over the Bucks, the All-Star guard hit a key layup. Then, in the opening game of the series against the Cavaliers, the top seed in the East, he chipped in 22 points and 13 assists. In Game 2, Haliburton hit a three-pointer with 1.1 seconds left to help the Pacers take a narrow 120-119 lead and take a 2-0 lead in a best-of-seven series.

In Haliburton's view, although the fourth-seeded Pacers came back from a seven-point deficit in the last minute to put on a crazy stunner, it was just routine.

"It's the NBA, and there's been a lot of crazy stuff happening," Haliburton said, "and we've been through so many games that you can take a screenshot and you're like, 'How did they win this game?'" 'We're a resilient team and we always find a way to win. We never give up, and we've been through a lot of battles. ”

Haliburton had a brace wrapped around his left wrist. "I'm fine," Haliburton told reporters after training, "no problem, I'm in good shape. ”

If the Pacers can win again in G3, things will be in good shape, and they will be just one game away from reaching the Eastern Conference Finals for the second year in a row.

However, the Cavaliers definitely don't want to see a 0-3 deficit, after all, no team in NBA history has completed a 0-3 comeback. Cavaliers star Mitchell G2 scored 48 points on 15-of-30 shooting and 17-of-21 free throws. Strus contributed 23 points and Jarrett Allen had 22 points and 12 rebounds. However, the Cavaliers' roster remains incomplete, and this is the fourth game in a row without All-Star Garland (left big toe sprain).

Defensive Player of the Year Mobley (Sprained Left Ankle) and Key Substitute Hunter (Sprained Right Thumb) also missed Game 2 after picking up injuries in the opening game of the series.

"I'm so proud of every teammate who has worked hard," Mitchell said, "and we've shown the depth of the squad and the quality of the team. But it's really hard to lose like that, and we have to win in Indianapolis. ”

In the G3 battle, the three main players who were absent are likely to make a comeback. Cavaliers head coach Atkinson revealed that all three players were involved to varying degrees in today's practice. "It was mostly shooting drills, so they all touched the ball," Atkinson said, "and there were some simple exercises, but no real fights. They were involved in tactical drills and we can only hope for the bright side. ”

Atkinson also said the team is doing everything they can to keep morale high. 'I think everybody is frustrated, but you can't blame anybody and it's not the players' problem,' Atkinson said. ”

List of injuries and illnesses

Cavaliers: Garland, Mobley, Hunter are doubtful

Pacers: Isaiah Jackson is out

ESPN predicts the win rate: Cavaliers 46.8%, Pacers 53.2%