The Indiana Pacers reached the NBA’s Eastern Conference finals for the second year running by beating top seeds the Cleveland Cavaliers in game five.
Tyrese Haliburton scored 31 points and added eight assists as Indiana triumphed 114-105 to win the best-of-seven semi-final series 4-1.
“The winning team writes the script,” Indiana coach Rick Carlisle said.
“This was one of the best teams in the league. I’m sorry their season had to end like this. They had the perfect season, and we came along and were hot at the right time.”
The fourth-seeded Pacers will face either the Boston Celtics or the New York Knicks, who lead the NBA’s defending champions 3-1, in the final.
The Celtics claimed a clean sweep against the Pacers in last year’s Eastern finals.
Cleveland, who topped the Eastern Conference, thrashed Miami 4-0 to book their place in the semi-finals.
However, they could not cope with the tempo of the Pacers and Donovan Mitchell, who led the Cavaliers with 35 points, said they had “let the city down”.
“We just didn’t get the job done. Nothing else needs to be said,” added Mitchell.
“We let the city down. We let each other down. I believe in this team. That’s what just sucks. We’re a good team, but ultimately for three [home] games, we don’t seem it.”
