Pacers return home to face Cavs in Game 3

The Cleveland Cavaliers needed a dominant performance from LeBron James in Game 2 to earn a split against the Indiana Pacers at home, but now things shift to Indiana for Game 3 of their first-round NBA playoff series on Friday night.

James poured in 46 points on 17-of-24 shooting on Wednesday night and grabbed 12 rebounds. He scored 13 points before the Pacers even scored one in Game 2, building an impressive 13-1 lead for the Cavs. The Pacers cut the deficit to three in the final minute but never got closer as Cleveland was able to hold on to even the series.

“It’s a good sign when you lose by three and the best player in the world has a game like that,” Pacers guard Darren Collison told the Associated Press.

Victor Oladipo has led the way for Indiana in the series averaging 27 points per game, and center Myles Turner has chipped in with 17 points per game on 62% shooting.

The Pacers were 27-14 at home during the regular season, and beat Cleveland both times they faced off in Indiana. Oladipo averaged 26 points in those two wins.

Pacers vs. Cavaliers Game 3 info

Location: Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indiana

Game time: 7 p.m. ET

TV: ESPN

Announcers: Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson, Lisa Salters

Online streaming: Watch ESPN