The Cleveland Cavaliers got on the board and tossed the proverbial monkey from their collective back on Friday night, May 9, by going into Gainbridge Fieldhouse and capturing a must-win Game 3 from the Indiana Pacers, who still lead the series 2-1.<\/p>\n
But as good as the victory has to feel for Cleveland, and as much confidence as the team can garner from the returns of Darius Garland, Evan Mobley and De’Andre Hunter Friday night — all of whom sat out Game 2 with injuries — there truly is little to actually celebrate.<\/p>\n
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The Cavaliers still trail in the series. They still haven’t won back home-court advantage. And if they lose Game 4 on Sunday, Cleveland will need to beat a scary Indiana team three straight times to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals against either the New York Knicks or the Boston Celtics.<\/p>\n
None of that was lost on Cavaliers superstar Donovan Mitchell, who spoke about the series with ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt on “SportsCenter” after a 43-point showing in the win.<\/p>\n
“We accomplished one goal tonight, but the job’s not finished,” Mitchell said<\/a>, sending his teammates a message in the process.<\/p>\n Cleveland opened as 4.5-point road favorites to win Game 4 after its dominating 22-point victory Friday night in Indianapolis, per ESPN BET<\/a>.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n The betting public showed immediate faith in the Cavaliers’ chances, as the line moved to -5.5 in Cleveland’s favor just hours after the initial odds were listed.<\/p>\n