The Thunder tied their series with the Nuggets, while the Pacers blew out the Cavaliers in Game 4. Here are our takeaways from the action.

The Pacers won Games 1, 2 and 5 at Rocket Mortgage Arena to help secure their spot in the Eastern Conference Finals. Indiana needed to battle back from a 12-point first-quarter deficit. Tyrese Haliburton's three-point shooting played a huge role in clawing back into the game.

Here are instant reactions from Beacon Journal sports writers after Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals between the Cavs and Indiana Pacers.