The Indiana Pacers are riding high after their impressive five-game series victory over the Milwaukee Bucks, but they’re about to face an even tougher test.
The Eastern Conference Semifinals bring a showdown with the red-hot Cleveland Cavaliers, and Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton isn’t backing down from the challenge.
During his appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, Haliburton shared his thoughts on the upcoming series with genuine excitement.
The young guard seems eager to test himself against one of the East’s elite teams as Game 1 approaches this Sunday.
“They’re a good team, they’re physical. They can shoot the ball really well; they have multiple guys that can handle, shoot, and defend, and I think that’s why you see the record that they have. They’re a really good, a really deep team, so we just got to be able to match that energy,” Haliburton said.
Tyrese Haliburton says he is looking forward to competing against the Cavaliers ahead of their Sunday matchup. 🙌
“They’re really good, a really deep team, so we just got to be able to match that energy.“
(via @PatMcAfeeShow) pic.twitter.com/leQZACIJGQ— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 30, 2025
What makes this matchup particularly interesting is the lack of relevant head-to-head battles this season.
Haliburton pointed out that neither team has faced each other at full strength, forcing him to dig through older game footage, going back as far as two seasons ago, to prepare for what the Cleveland Cavaliers might bring to the court.
The Cleveland Cavaliers enter this series looking nearly unstoppable.
After a dominant 64-18 regular season run, they made quick work of the Miami Heat with a clean four-game sweep.
Their final victory against Miami was particularly brutal—a 55-point demolition that left Heat coach Erik Spoelstra visibly stunned in the aftermath.
Despite being heavy favorites, the Cavaliers can’t afford to take the Indiana Pacers lightly.
This Cleveland squad is setting franchise records that even the LeBron James-led teams couldn’t achieve.
Their average margin of victory sits at an impressive 10.5 points per game, putting them on pace for the best mark in team history.
NEXT: Brian Windhorst Says 1 Cavs Star Will Be Very Important In Pacers Series
