The Cleveland Cavaliers were up two because Tristan Thompson had scored on a little four-footer off a LeBron James assist 20 seconds before.
The Cavaliers were pressuring the Pacers on defense and Indiana could not get the shot it wanted, so the play became a driving George Hill going to the rim for a layup.
And Thompson blocked it. Saving the game for Cleveland (which eventually won 100-96).
Thompson’s key plays got the Cavs a win that can be picked apart as not pretty, as featuring too much isolation and leaning too heavily on LeBron James. But it’s a win in a hard-fought game against a playoff team, and the Cavaliers could use that after a rough stretch of losses. Thompson’s blue-collar game — with 14 points and 11 rebounds off the bench — was what the Cavs needed for a night, and he delivered.
