CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Cleveland Cavaliers took Game 3 of their Eastern Conference Semifinal matchup against the Indiana Pacers on the road. A big loss in Game 4, however, brings the series back to Cleveland with the Cavs on the brink of elimination trailing 3-1 in the series.

Ideastream Public Media's sports commentator Terry Pluto expects changes in the offseason after the Cavs' flameout.

The Cleveland Cavaliers ' 2024-25 season effectively came to an end on Tuesday night as a result of their rough Game 5 loss against the Indiana Pacers, 114-105– ultimately an abrupt and disappointing finish to the team's best regular season showing since the 2008-09 campaign.

Here is what Indiana and the national media said after Game 5: Charles Barkley made this point at halftime on TNT, after the Cavaliers squandered a 19-point lead, and returned to it afterward: “They used their size to their advantage,” he said. “For some reason, they wanted to start shooting jumpers.”

Allen totaled nine points (4-6 FG, 1-2 FT), four rebounds and one steal in 30 minutes during Tuesday's 114-105 loss to the Pacers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

The Indiana Pacers advanced to their second consecutive Eastern Conference Finals after defeating the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers 114-105 in Game 5 on Tuesday night. Overcoming a 19-point first-half deficit, the Pacers secured the series 4-1, eliminating the Cavaliers in Cleveland.

When the lights grew brighter, the Cavs showed their true colors, proving to be a fraudulent regular-season team.

Cleveland Cavaliers guard Max Strus attempted to light a fire under his teammates prior to Game 5 of their second-round playoff series. Before Game 5 tipped off, TNT's Jared Greenberg revealed Strus texted the Cavaliers group chat: "If you don't believe, then don't show up for work."