Game Preview: Pacers vs Cavaliers (Game 6)

Please Note: Doors for Friday night's game will open at 6:00 PM ET

For a team that seemingly has built their identity around rallying from behind, Friday night's Game 6 against the Cavaliers will be the ultimate test of the Pacers' ability to overcome the odds.

After LeBron James added another chapter to his storied career on Wednesday night, burying a game-winning 3-pointer as time expired to take Game 5, the Pacers find themselves down 3-2 and on the brink of elimination.

During Game 5, the Pacers had yet another wild fourth-quarter rally, outscoring the Cavaliers 22-14 to tie the game. But with three seconds left, James made his final mark on the game, hitting the game-winner and sending Indiana into full desperation mode.

As the series returns to Bankers Life Fieldhouse for Game 6, the Pacers will be looking for its All-Star, Victor Oladipo, to find his shooting touch. After an impressive start to the series, Oladipo's shooting has hit a snag, going 12-of-50 over the last three games.

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"I think I got some pretty good looks today. I just feel as though I missed," explained Oladipo after the game. "Credit them. They still did a great job on me, switching out. But I feel like I got pretty good looks, some open looks that I haven’t gotten at all this series. I just missed. I’m looking forward to Friday night."

While Oladipo started the series hot and has struggled since, the opposite has happened for Pacers forward Domantas Sabonis. The Lithuanian forward had yet another impressive night, leading the Pacers with 22 points on 8-of-12 shooting, including a jumper that tied the game at 95.

With Sabonis and Turner both producing, Indiana has made things close in all three of its losses this series, losing the games by a combined 10 points.

But on Friday, close won't cut it in the win-or-go-home matchup. However, as a team that has been no stranger to comebacks this year, the Pacers will be in their comfort zone from the tip.

Darren Collison

Victor Oladipo

Bojan Bogdanovic

Thaddeus Young

Myles Turner

Jose Calderon

JR Smith

Kyle Korver

LeBron James

Kevin Love

Pacers: PG - Darren Collison, SG - Victor Oladipo, SF - Bojan Bogdanovic, PF - Thaddeus Young, C - Myles Turner
Cavaliers: PG - Jose Calderon, SG - JR Smith, SF - Kyle Korver, PF - LeBron James, C - Kevin Love

Pacers: None

Cavaliers: George Hill - questionable (back spasms)

April 25, 2018: The Pacers fought valiantly on Wednesday night in Cleveland, but in the end, LeBron James' herculean effort was too much for Indiana.

James' buzzer-beating 3-pointer lifted the Cavaliers to a 98-95 win over the Pacers in Game 5 at Quicken Loans Arena. It was the final stroke of a masterful 44-point, 10-rebound, 8-assist performance from James and pushed the Pacers to the brink of elimination in their best-of-seven first-round series.

"I got screened by Kyle Korver a little bit," Pacers forward Thaddeus Young, who was guarding James on the final possession, said after the game. "I could have stayed closer. That last shot's on me. I definitely take that on my shoulders to be able to go out there and guard guys and force them to take tough shots ... but he made a hell of a shot."

Sabonis led the Pacers with 22 points off the bench on 8-of-12 shooting. Young added 16 points, while Oladipo recorded a double-double with 12 points and a game-high 12 rebounds.

Korver had 19 points off the bench for Cleveland, going 5-for-9 from 3-point range. Kevin Love added 11 points and 10 rebounds for the victors.

All fans in attendance will receive a gold "Together" t-shirt for the Game 6 Gold Out.

The Pacers and Cavaliers will return to Indianapolis for Game 6 on Friday, April 27 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse at 8:00 PM ET. Find Tickets »

TV: FOX Sports Indiana - Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analyst), Jeremiah Johnson (sideline reporter/host)
ESPN - Mike Breen (play-by-play), Jeff Van Gundy (analyst), Mark Jackson (analyst), Lisa Salters (sideline reporter)
Radio: 107.5 FM/AM 1070 The Fan - Mark Boyle (play-by-play), Slick Leonard (analyst), Pat Boylan (sideline reporter/host)
Please Note: Inside Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Pacers radio broadcasts can be heard on 1080 AM instead of 1070.

Pacers Nation T-Shirt and "My City, Our House" T-shirts - $18. The Game Night Special can be purchased at the Pacers Team Store on game day, as well as online from 10:00 AM-Midnight. Order Online »