The Indiana Pacers started the second round of the 2025 NBA playoffs with an upset victory, taking down the Cleveland Cavaliers by the final score of 121-112 in Game 1 on Sunday. With the Pacers trailing 102-101 and just under seven minutes left in the fourth quarter, Tyrese Haliburton helped spark a 15-4 run that put the game out of reach.

The Cavaliers had no trouble with the Miami Heat in the first round. Cleveland swept Miami in the most lopsided series in NBA history, outscoring the Heat by 122 points in four games. The Cavs had seven players average in double figures in scoring in the first-round sweep and averaged 126 points per game against Miami.

An old boxing adage is styles make fights. Well, the Cavaliers will need to fight for their playoff lives in Round 2 because of how the Pacers play.