DENVER — A new atmosphere has proven advantageous for the Cleveland Cavaliers as they comfortably settled into Indianapolis. This trend is notable in the second round of the NBA playoffs, where visiting teams are exhibiting strong performances with a 7-3 record so far. Nuggets’ interim head coach David Adelman has considered various reasons why the typical benefits of playing at home seem diminished right now.
Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell, however, is focused on one essential point — their significant road win over the Pacers on Friday night revitalized their prospects. After losing the initial two games at their home court, the Cavaliers, ranked as the top seed in the East, now trail 2-1 in their best-of-seven series as they head into Game 4 in Indianapolis on Sunday evening.
Mitchell remarked on the urgency of their situation despite coach Kenny Atkinson not explicitly stating they were in a must-win scenario. “I kind of kept that to myself, understanding going down 0-3 and playing here would be challenging. Yes, this was a must-win,” Mitchell commented.
In another series, the Nuggets are leading 2-1 over the West’s highest-seeded Thunder thanks to an impressive Game 1 win in Oklahoma City. Although they suffered a 43-point loss in Game 2, they managed to secure their territory with a 113-104 overtime win on Friday night.
Adelman, the son of Hall of Fame coach Rick Adelman, stated, “It’s easy to say, ‘Just stay in it, man.’ They’re coming in fast, a strong basketball team, skillfully coached. It’s gratifying to secure this victory.”
Discussing the diminishing home court advantage, Adelman attributed the 3-pointer as a significant leveling factor for away teams. “That’s why you witness more blowouts in the playoffs, because teams can heat up and knock down numerous 3s rapidly,” he said.
Further, Adelman speculated that today’s players are almost immune to the daunting noise in rival arenas. He mentioned contemporary players’ experiences with AAU tournaments and frequent travel as a reason they might feel less anxious when away.
Thunder coach Mark Daigneault maintains a straightforward view regarding games on unfamiliar turf — his emphasis lies on strong focus. “If we can maintain our focus in such environments, on what we need to do, we have the confidence to win,” Daigneault expressed.
**Oklahoma City at Denver Nuggets**
**Kickoff**: Game 4, 3:30 p.m. EDT (ABC)
**Series**: Nuggets in the lead, 2-1
**Predictions**: Favorable odds for Thunder by 5.5
**Key Insights**: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic, key contenders in the NBA MVP race, had an awkward shooting night in Game 3, combining for only 15 of 47 attempts, and registered a mere 1 of 16 from beyond the arc. Such off nights are rare and unlikely to recur. The Thunder effectively diverted coverage towards Jokic, reigning MVP, who managed 16 rebounds along with 20 points and six assists. Currently, Jokic has yet to secure a triple-double in this series, unlike his performance in the previous series against the Clippers. Gilgeous-Alexander talked about his shooting experience saying, “A few shots felt right, more than a few,” but they didn’t find the net.
**Cleveland Cavaliers at Indiana Pacers**
**Kickoff**: Game 3, 8 p.m. EDT (TNT/truTV)
**Series**: Pacers lead, 2-1
**Predictions**: Strong likelihood for Cavaliers by 4.5
**Key Insights**: Cleveland displayed their finest and most cohesive game thus far to avoid a 3-0 series deficit. However, uncertainties remain. All-Star guard Darius Garland is not yet back to form after a toe injury sidelined him from four prior matches, leaving Atkinson uncertain about his potential participation in Sunday’s game. Coach Atkinson is also gauging how well NBA Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley and critical bench player De’Andre Hunter recover post-injury. The Pacers aim to start strong and refocus their efforts following critique by coach Rick Carlisle on Friday. Furthermore, they need to find a way to neutralize Mitchell, who recorded an impressive 33, 48, and 43 points in the series’ games. A revitalization is also in order for All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton, who was subdued last match, scoring just four points and dishing out five assists.