On Tuesday, the Indiana Pacers went 2-0 against the Cleveland Cavaliers on a stunning game-winner from Tyrese Haliburton. Throughout the game, the Cavaliers controlled the game and led as much as 20 points. However, Haliburton and the Pacers mounted a comeback, resulting in a 120-119 victory.
During the final seconds, the Cavs had a 119-117 lead. Haliburton was on the free-throw line and missed his second attempt. The All-Star point guard fought for the rebound and brought the ball beyond the 3-point range. He let the clock wind down as Ty Jerome stayed on him. The former Iowa State star shook Jerome off and did a step-back 3-pointer to give the Pacers the one-point lead with 1.1 seconds left.
Sam Cassell, a former NBA player, often used the “Big Balls” celebration following Haliburton’s basket. Due to its inappropriateness, the celebration has frequently been subject to fines. Fred VanVleet and LeBron James were both fined $15,000 for participating in the celebration.
An INSANE game winner + celebration from Haliburton. What a game. pic.twitter.com/SBnhVdN1uP
— Coach Gibson Pyper (@HalfCourtHoops) May 7, 2025
The Cavs didn’t have a timeout, and there wasn’t enough time on the clock, eventually leading to their defeat. After the fans saw Haliburton’s celebration, they discussed it on social media.
“He definitely getting fined for dat,” a fan said.
“If Ja did this he would get 20 years behind bars,” another fan commented.
“Can’t even fine him after hitting that lol,” one fan posted.
Can’t even fine him after hitting that lol
— SportsHub (@Sprts_Hub) May 7, 2025
“CANT LIE, HES GOT AURA NOW”
“Monkey nuts celebration is crazy. Hali a real (expletive) (expletive) man🤣”
“After the crowd called him overrated 🥶🥶🥶”
“BIG BALLS, THAT BOY IS NOT OVERRATED”
BIG BALLS, THAT BOY IS NOT OVERRATED
— Pops Burner (@popovichsburner) May 7, 2025
“Some fines are worth it”
“Cavs were always pretenders & now they about to get swept 😂”
“Big nuts celly goes hard”
“Cold mf! But that will be a cold mf fine from Adam Silver 😭😭😭
The Indiana Pacers’ efficient shooting of the basketball gave the team the win
The Indiana Pacers were mostly behind for the majority of the game. The only time they led was during the first quarter, as the Cavaliers rallied with a significant run that inflated their lead. However, only one team had an efficient night shooting the basketball from beyond the arc.
As a team, the Pacers made the most of their chances from deep. They knocked down 39.3 percent from downtown. Aaron Nesmith had the most attempts, with eight and made 62.5 percent. Center Myles Turner was also reliable from beyond the arc as he shot 40 percent.
Their leader, Haliburton, made 100 percent of his two attempts. That includes his game-winning shot over Jerome.
The Cavaliers, meanwhile, struggled to be consistent from long range. The team with the best record in the Eastern Conference shot 28.2 percent from downtown. Donovan Mitchell, who had 48 points, shot 14.3 percent on seven attempts.
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Reign also writes NBA and WNBA news updates on Sportskeeda. He started as a feature writer for AirAlamo, an NBA website that covers the San Antonio Spurs. Some of his work can also be seen on Valley of the Suns, a Phoenix Suns-centric website, where he served as a contributing writer.
