Naturally, trailing by seven or more points in the final minute of a game is not an effective strategy for an NBA team — unless that team is the Indiana Pacers in the 2025 Playoffs.
For nearly all of Tuesday night’s Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, it looked as though the Cleveland Cavaliers would defeat the Pacers, bringing the series to a 1-1 tie heading to Indianapolis for Games 3 and 4. And while Indiana closed the deficit throughout the second half, Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell sank a pair of free throws with 57.1 seconds remaining, giving the Cavaliers a seemingly safe 119-112 lead.
And while the Pacers continued to narrow the gap, it looked like they’d run out of time. Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton went to the free-throw line with 12.1 seconds remaining and Cleveland leading 119-116. Haliburton’s first free throw was good. He missed his second but the Pacers secured the rebound, giving them one final chance to tie — or win — the game. They didn’t squander it, as Haliburton drilled a game-winning three, giving the Pacers a 120-119 win in Game 2 and a commanding 2-0 lead in the series.
Tyrese Haliburton nails a game-winning three for the Pacers, completing the come-from-behind win in Game 2 over the Cavs.
Indiana is headed home and leads 2-0.pic.twitter.com/t1uGgaVEDU
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) May 7, 2025
For most teams, erasing such a lead is nearly impossible. But for the Pacers, it’s old hat.
Jamal Collier of ESPN shared on X (formerly Twitter) that since the 1997-98 season, “Since 1997-98, teams are 3-1,640 when trailing by 7+ in the final minute of the 4th quarter/OT.”
He added that two of those three wins belong to the Pacers in this postseason.
What a stat from ESPN Research: Since 1997-98, teams are 3-1,640 when trailing by 7+ in the final minute of the 4th quarter/OT.
The Pacers, this postseason, have 2 of those wins.
— Jamal Collier (@JamalCollier) May 7, 2025
Indiana’s other win came in Game 5 of the first-round series against the Milwaukee Bucks. After the Pacers rallied to force overtime, the Bucks assumed control and took a 118-111 lead with 40 seconds left.
But as was the case on Tuesday, Indiana rallied and Haliburton hit the game-winner.
TYRESE HALIBURTON GAME WINNER 🚨
HE SENDS THE BUCKS HOME IN GAME 5 pic.twitter.com/3M0HO7cg8y
— NBA TV (@NBATV) April 30, 2025
So, it seems the safest lead the Pacers can hold is a seven-point deficit with less than 60 seconds remaining.
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