Final Score: Cavs escape Game 4 with 104-100 win, tie series at 2-2

As the series shifts back to Cleveland, the Cavaliers should feel fortunate to be tied 2-2 with the Pacers and not down 3-1 after beating Indiana 104-100 in Sunday’s Game 4.

After leading by 10 points at the half, the Cavs led by just two heading into the fourth quarter after starting the quarter on a 10-2 run and LeBron James scoring just one point in the third quarter. At the 6:13 mark of the fourth, the Pacers took a three-point lead with every Cavalier — James included — struggling. For the second straight game, it looked as if the Pacers were going to ride a strong second half to a win.

The Cavs, though, punched back this time. Kyle Korver scored eight of his 18 points in the fourth quarter, six of which came on three-pointers in the final four minutes. James chipped in too, assisting Korver on his second three-pointer and scoring four points in the final four minutes.

James led the Cavs with 32 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists. Domantas Sabonis lead the Pacers with 19 points and Myles Turner and and Victor Oladipo added 17 points apiece.

The Cavs got out to a first half lead despite Kevin Love scoring zero points in the first half and having his minutes limited due to foul trouble. Jordan Clarkson made his first contribution to the series, scoring 12 points in the half to compliment James’ 23 points and J.R. Smith’s nine points. In the first half, Cleveland made 11 of its 13 shots at the rim and hit the 60 point mark despite missing 12 three-pointers.

Love finished the game with five points on 2-10 shooting and 11 rebounds.

Because it’s the Cavs, and they can never make it easy for themselves, it got dicey in the final 10 seconds of the game when all they needed to do was make free throws. With nine seconds left, Jeff Green caught an inbounds pass and was tied up Lance Stephenson with the two players ending up on the ground, jostling for the ball. Upon review, Stephenson was called for a foul and Green went to free throw line, making one of two free throws to seal the win. But the call could have easily been a jump ball and Green could have been called for a technical foul in what was a three-point game.

Up next: Game 5 of the series is Wednesday in Cleveland. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. at Quicken Loans Arena.