CLEVELAND − Two-way contract guard Quenton Jackson scored 21 points to help the Pacers rally from a 27-point deficit including a 24-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat the Cavaliers 126-118 in double overtime in the regular-season finale with both teams assured of their playoff positions and using the end of their respective benches.
The Pacers finish the season 50-32, reaching the 50-point plateau for the first time since 2013-14. They will be the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs and face the No. 5 seed Milwaukee Bucks. The Cavs finish the season 64-18 with the best record in the Eastern Conference.
Pacers rookie wing Johnny Furphy had 15 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Center Tony Bradley had 14 points and 14 rebounds. Guard RayJ Dennis had 13 points, six assists and five rebounds. Forward Jaylon Tyson scored 31 points to lead the Cavaliers.
Two-way contract players key 24-point comeback for overtime
With 7:35 to go in Sunday's fourth quarter, the Pacers were down 96-73. Their starters and second-unit players had long since checked out and the five players they had on the floor were two-way contract players Quenton Jackson, Enrique Freeman and RayJ Dennis, rookie Johnny Furphy and center Tony Bradley, who initially joined the team on a 10-day in March. They were facing a collection of two-way and end of bench players in Cleveland as well, but those Cavaliers had been in complete control since the second quarter.
But those Pacers somehow took the control away and came all the way back to force one overtime and then another, and then won.
Indiana went on a 24-2 run to cut the deficit to 98-97 with 2:46 to play. The Cavaliers grew the lead back to six points and they were up 105-99 with 43 seconds to go. However, a tip-in by Bradley made it a four-point game. The Cavs threw the ball away on the next possession and a Jackson layup made it 105-103 with ...
