Cavs' Max Strus Speaks Truth After Painful Game 2 Collapse Against Pacers

For most of Game 2, everything was proceeding as scheduled for the Cleveland Cavaliers Even though they lacked Evan Mobley, Darius Garland, and De'Andre Hunter, the Cavaliers dominated largely due to an extraordinary showing from Donovan Mitchell, who scored 48 points by focusing on driving to the hoop. However, things fell apart in the last 30 seconds when the team squandered their lead—Max Strus’ inbound pass was stolen leading to Tyrese Haliburton scoring the winning point as Cleveland lost 120-119.

It’s really unfortunate that Strus, out of everyone, ended up being responsible for a highly expensive turnover after putting in an all-night effort to provide Mitchell and the Cavaliers with much-needed offensive assistance due to the absence of two key teammates. With this loss, they now trail 2-0 following back-to-back home games, leaving their promising season hanging by a thread.

All Strus can do is reflect at how high the standards the Cavs must set for themselves if they were to save their season after a devastating Game 2 loss.

“A minute left, up seven, can’t lose that one. Gotta be better,” Strus said following the Cavs’ loss, per Danny Cunningham of The Inside Shot.

To achieve a deep playoff push that ends with an NBA title, teams have to maintain the utmost standards. The difference between victory and defeat can be incredibly slim, and the Cavaliers absolutely cannot allow what seems like a secure advantage in the last minute or two of the game to evaporate.

At the end of the day, the Cavs’ season is far from over. They must enter Game 3, however, with the mindset that their season could very well be coming to an end if they don’t win.

Cavs figure out the hard way that no lead is safe

Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

During the NBA playoffs, particularly in the second round, the talent levels across the remaining teams' rosters are quite similar. As a result, no lead feels entirely secure. The Cavaliers discovered this harsh reality when they lost their seven-point advantage with about 57 seconds remaining in Game 2 against the Pacers.

Maybe in Game 3, things will turn out differently. easier times ahead for the Cavaliers On the road, assuming, of course, that Evan Mobley and Darius Garland come back. They need to overcome the emotional toll from this surprising Game 2 defeat and move forward with the forgetfulness of a goldfish.

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