CLEVELAND -- Survive and advance. That's exactly what the Cleveland Cavaliers did on Sunday, beating the Indiana Pacers 106-98 in a winner-take-all Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. With the victory, the Cavs move on to the Eastern Conference Semifinals, where they'll meet the No. 1 seed Toronto Raptors.
Game 1 is slated for Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET in Toronto.
LeBron James scored 45 points to go along with 9 rebounds and 7 assists for the Cavs on Sunday. Receiving his first start of the series, center Tristan Thompson added 15 points and 10 rebounds.
Victor Oladipo led Indiana with 27 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists. Point guard Darren Collison added 23.
What follows is a running recap of the Cavs' series-clinching victory, complete with highlight and analysis.
Fourth quarter
Cavs will win it, with George hill closing the game out at the free throw line.
17.1: Cavs 103, Pacers 98: A Thad Young putback inches the Pacers to within 5, but Cavs will continue to try to close it out at the free throw line.
23.2: Cavs 103, Pacers 96: After a Pacers miss, LeBron grabs his 9th rebound and converts on a free throw to push the Cavs lead to 7. Pacers are going to need a miracle and Cleveland will have a chance to close it out at the free throw line.
30.2: Cavs 102, Pacers 96: Kyle Korver finds LeBron on a beautifully drawn up play to stretch the Cavs lead to 6.
50.1: Cavs 100, Pacers 96: Cavs clinging on to a 4 point lead with a under a minute left and the ball.
4:33: Cavs 97, Pacers 88: LeBron returned with about 8 minutes left, although it's clear he's pretty spent. Still, Cavs manage to keep the Pacers at an arm's length heading into the final 5 minutes.
9:41: Cavs 82, Pacers 72: Cavs begin the fourth without LeBron, who is dealing with leg cramps, but extend the lead with a 6-0 run. James getting set to check in.
Third quarter
End of quarter: Cavs 76, Pacers 74: Cavs regain a slight lead heading into the fourth, but that advantage could be in jeopardy as LeBron James left the game before immediately heading to the Cavs locker room. No word on his status.
7:12: Pacers 59, Cavs 58: And just like that, the Pacers have their first lead of the game after a Bogdanovic 3.
9:11: Cavs 56, Pacers 52: In what's beginning to feel like a familiar sight, the Cavs get off to a sluggish start to the second half, with the Pacers opening the third quarter on a 9-2 run to cut Cleveland's lead to four.
Second quarter
Halftime: Cavs 54: Pacers 43: Cavs keeping their foot on the gas, with Thompson up to 10 points and 9 rebounds as they take yet another double-digit lead into halftime.
3:38: Cavs 49, Pacers 37: And just like that, the Cavs reel off a 12-4 run of their own to extend their lead back out to 12. LeBron with a cool 24 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds.
6:07: Cavs 37, Pacers 33: Pacers in the midst of a 12-2 run, cutting the Cavs lead just 4 halfway through the second.
9:54: Cavs 35, Pacers 21: LeBron 7-for-7 from the field and just killing the Pacers with his midrange game. Indiana forced to call a timeout two minutes into the second as the Cavs extend their lead.
First quarter
End of quarter: Cavs 31, Pacers 19: Strong start for the Cavs, who end the quarter on a stepback jumper by LeBron. 13 points for James in the first.
2:08: Cavs 26, Pacers 16: Heckuva start for Tristan Thompson, who has 6 points and 7 rebounds already. LeBron with an early 11, while Victor Oladipo has been held to 0-4 from the field.
7:43: Cavs 9, Pacers 2: Hot start for the Cavs, while the Pacers are held to 0-for-5 from the field. Kevin Love hits a much-needed 3 to force an Indiana timeout.
Pre-game
Tristan Thompson now listed as a starter for the Cavs, alongside LeBron James, J.R. Smith, Kevin Love and Kyle Korver.
George Hill will be available to play, although Tyronn Lue wouldn't commit to him regaining his starting role.
