Apr 20, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) is guarded by Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) in game three of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.© Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports Apr 20, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) is guarded by Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) in game three of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life… INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- LeBron James finished with 41 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists, and the Cleveland Cavaliers set an NBA postseason record by erasing a 25-point halftime deficit to beat the Indiana Pacers 119-111 on Thursday night and take a 3-0 lead.
James passed Kobe Bryant for No. 3 on the NBA's career playoff scoring list and tied another NBA record by winning his 20th consecutive first-round game.
The Cavaliers will try to sweep the series Sunday.
The incredible rally ruined Paul George's big night. He had 36 points, a playoff career-high 15 rebounds and nine assists.
Cleveland trailed by 26 in the first half and was still down 74-49 at halftime. The largest halftime deficit overcome to win a playoff game had been 21 points by Baltimore against Philadelphia in 1948.
James scored 13 points in the third quarter to get the Cavs within 91-84. Cleveland regained the lead twice during a 15-5 fourth-quarter run and closed it out with a 12-5 spurt.
James now has 5,669 points, 29 ahead of Bryant. He also matched three other ex-Los Angeles Lakers -- Magic Johnson, Michael Cooper and James Worthy -- for most consecutive first-round wins.
This comeback began with a second straight devastating third-quarter punch from the Cavs.
After Cleveland cut the deficit to 77-62 and then watched Indiana extend the margin to 20, Cleveland finished the quarter on a 17-4 spurt to make it 91-84.
Things only got worse for the Pacers.
George's 3 with 5:15 to go gave Indiana a 104-103 lead -- its last of the game. James answered with a layup out of a timeout and the Cavs never trailed again.
It's only the second time in the Pacers' NBA history they have lost the first three games in a best-of-seven series. Indiana has never endured a four-game sweep since joining the NBA.
TIP-INS
Cavaliers: Kyrie Irving Kevin Love, J.R. Smith, Channing Frye all scored 13 points. ... Cleveland has won six straight over Indian. ... After scoring 49 points in the first half, the Cavs scored 35 in each of the final two quarters. ... Kyle Korver scored more points in two quarters (six) than he did in the first two games (four). He finished with 12.
Pacers: George had 23 points, nine rebounds and five assists and Lance Stephenson added eight points and five rebounds in the first two quarters. ... Indiana scored 37 points in the first quarter, falling just short of a season high (39), then matched that 37 in the second quarter for its highest first-half total of the season. ... Coach Nate McMillan made a lineup change, inserting former Cavs player C.J. Miles into the starting rotation. Monta Ellis was relegated to bench duty. ... The Pacers drew two defensive three-second calls in the first half.
UP NEXT
On Sunday, Indiana will try to stave off elimination when it hosts Cleveland for Game 4.
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PHOTOS: Best of the NBA playoffs

  • Slide 1 of 31: Houston Rockets center Nene Hilario (42) is fouled by Oklahoma City Thunder forward Domantas Sabonis (3) during the first half in Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Wednesday, April 19, 2017, in Houston.
  • Slide 2 of 31: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder drives to the basket defended by Eric Gordon #10 of the Houston Rockets in the second half of Game Two of the Western Conference quarterfinals game during the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center on April 19, 2017 in Houston, Texas.
  • Slide 3 of 31: John Wall #2 of the Washington Wizards reacts to an officials call in the second half of their 109-101 win over the Atlanta Hawks in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center on April 19, 2017 in Washington.
  • Slide 4 of 31: Washington Wizards forward Jason Smith, right, and Atlanta Hawks center Dwight Howard, left, reach for the ball during the first half in Game 2 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series, Wednesday, April 19, 2017, in Washington.
  • Slide 5 of 31: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors drives on Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2017 NBA Playoffs at ORACLE Arena on April 19, 2017 in Oakland, California.
  • Slide 6 of 31: Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley (0) and Boston Celtics center Amir Johnson (90) battle with Chicago Bulls center Robin Lopez (8) during the first quarter in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs on April 18 in Boston, MA.
  • Slide 7 of 31: Kyle Lowry #7 of the Toronto Raptors goes to the basket against the Milwaukee Bucks during Game Two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs on April 18, 2017 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
  • Slide 8 of 31: Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward (20) moves the ball against Los Angeles Clippers forward Luc Mbah a Moute (12) and center DeAndre Jordan (6) during the first half in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center.
  • Slide 9 of 31: Blake Griffin #32 of the LA Clippers shoots the ball against the Utah Jazz during Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs on April 18, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California.
  • Slide 10 of 31: Boston Celtics' Isaiah Thomas yells at his teammate Marcus Smart during the third quarter. The Boston Celtics host the Chicago Bulls in game 2 of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at TD Garden in Boston on Apr. 18, 2017.
  • Slide 11 of 31: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers dunks against the Indiana Pacers during Game Two the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs on April 17, 2017 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio.
  • Slide 12 of 31: Cleveland Cavaliers' Kyrie Irving, right, drives to the basket against Indiana Pacers' Myles Turner in the first half in Game 2 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series, Monday, April 17, 2017, in Cleveland.
  • Slide 13 of 31: Apr 17, 2017; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) dribbles the ball as Memphis Grizzlies shooting guard Vince Carter (right) defends during the second half in game two of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center. The Spurs won 96-82 to take a 2-0 series lead.
  • Slide 14 of 31: Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol, left, guard Mike Conley (11) and San Antonio Spurs forward David Lee, center, chase a loose ball during the first half in Game 2 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series, Monday, April 17, 2017, in San Antonio.
  • Slide 15 of 31: James Harden (13) of the Houston Rockets drives past Enes Kanter (11) of the Oklahoma City Thunder for a layup during the first quarter during Game One of the first round of the Western Conference 2017 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center on April 16, in Houston, Texas.
  • Slide 16 of 31: Boston Celtics Jae Crowder has his shot blocked by Chicago Bulls Bobby Portis during fourth quarter action of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at TD Garden in Boston on April 16.
  • Slide 17 of 31: Stephen Curry (30) of the Golden State Warriors reacts during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers during the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs on April 16, at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif.
  • Slide 18 of 31: Boston Celtics' Isaiah Thomas, right, falls after being fouled by Chicago Bulls' Dwyane Wade (3) during the fourth quarter of a first-round NBA playoff basketball game on April 16, in Boston. The Bulls won 106-102.
  • Slide 19 of 31: Washington Wizards guard John Wall, right, loses the ball to Atlanta Hawks guard Dennis Schroder, front second from left, during the first half in Game 1 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series, in Washington, Sunday, April 16.
  • Slide 20 of 31: Markieff Morris (5) of the Washington Wizards and Paul Millsap (4) of the Atlanta Hawks go after a loose ball in the first half in Game One of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Verizon Center on April 16, in Washington, DC.
  • Slide 21 of 31: Gordon Hayward (20) of the Utah Jazz collides with Chris Paul (3) of the LA Clippers as he loses the ball as Luc Mbah a Moute (12) looks on during the first half at Staples Center on April 15, in Los Angeles, Calif.
  • Slide 22 of 31: Tony Parker (9) of the San Antonio Spurs scores past Marc Gasol (33) of the Memphis Grizzlies in Game One of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2017 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center on April 15, in San Antonio, Texas.
  • Slide 23 of 31: Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (7) looks to dish the ball as he gets trapped by Milwaukee Bucks guard Malcolm Brogdon (13) and Milwaukee Bucks forward Thon Maker (7). Toronto Raptors vs Milwaukee Bucks in 2nd half action of NBA playoff action at Air Canada Centre. This is the 1st round of playoffs. Raptors lose 97-83 on April 15.
  • Slide 24 of 31: DeMar DeRozan (10) of the Toronto Raptors is seen during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on April 15, during Game One of Round One of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
  • Slide 25 of 31: Blake Griffin (32) of the LA Clippers is defended by Joe Johnson (6) of the Utah Jazz during the first half at Staples Center on April 15, in Los Angeles, Calif.
  • Slide 26 of 31: Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) goes down to the floor after injuring his knee in the opening seconds in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs against the LA Clippers at Staples Center on April 15.
  • Slide 27 of 31: San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker (9) dribbles the ball as Memphis Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley, left, defends during the second half in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center on April 15.
  • Slide 28 of 31: Memphis Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley (11) is fouled while shooting by San Antonio Spurs small forward Kyle Anderson (1) during the first half in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center on April 15.
  • Slide 29 of 31: Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas (17) fouls on Milwaukee Bucks center Greg Monroe (15) in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Milwaukee defeated Toronto 97-83 on April 15.
  • Slide 30 of 31: Indiana Pacers center Kevin Seraphin (1) throws a pass while defended by Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23), guard JR Smith (5) and guard Kyrie Irving (2) in the third quarter in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena on April 15.
  • Slide 31 of 31: Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love (0) loses the ball while surrounded by Indiana Pacers defenders in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Quicken Loans Arena on April 15.
Slide 1 of 31: Houston Rockets center Nene Hilario (42) is fouled by Oklahoma City Thunder forward Domantas Sabonis (3) during the first half in Game 2 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Wednesday, April 19, 2017, in Houston.

Full screen
1/31 SLIDES © Eric Christian Smith/AP

Rocket to the rim



Rockets center Nene Hilario, center, is fouled by Thunder forward Domantas Sabonis during the first half of Game 2 of a first-round series on April 19 in Houston. The Rockets won 115-111 to take a 2-0 series lead.
2/31 SLIDES © Tim Warner/Getty Images

Lightning quick



Russell Westbrook, center, of the Thunder drives to the basket defended by the Rockets' Eric Gordon (10) during the second half of Game 2 of their first-round series on April 19 at Toyota Center in Houston.
3/31 SLIDES © Rob Carr/Getty Images

Taking issue with the call



John Wall of the Wizards reacts to an official's call in the second half of a 109-101 win over the Hawks in Game 2 of their first-round series on April 19 at Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. The Wizards took a 2-0 series lead.
4/31 SLIDES © Nick Wass/AP

Up for grabs



Wizards forward Jason Smith, right, and Hawks center Dwight Howard reach for the ball during the first half of Game 2 of a first-round series on April 19 in Washington, D.C.
5/31 SLIDES © Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Premier guards



Stephen Curry, right, of the Warriors drives on Damian Lillard of the Trail Blazers during Game 2 of their first-round series on April 19 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, Calif.
6/31 SLIDES © Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports

Fighting for it



The Celtics' Avery Bradley and Amir Johnson battle with the Bulls' Robin Lopez on April 18 in Boston. The Bulls won 111-97.
7/31 SLIDES © Mark Blinch/NBAE/Getty Images

Charging ahead



Kyle Lowry of the Raptors goes to the basket against the Bucks on April 18 in Toronto. The Raptors won 106-100.
8/31 SLIDES © Gary A. Vasquez/USA TODAY Sports

Passing under pressure



The Jazz's Gordon Hayward moves the ball against the Clippers' Luc Mbah a Moute and DeAndre Jordan on April 18 in Los Angeles. The Clippers won 99-91
9/31 SLIDES © Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE/Getty Images

Griffin heads for a layup



Blake Griffin of the Clippers shoots the ball against the Jazz on April 18 in Los Angeles. The Clippers won 99-91.
10/31 SLIDES © Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe/Getty Images

Frustrated



The Celtics' Isaiah Thomas yells at teammate Marcus Smart during the during the game against the Bulls on April 18 in Boston. The Bulls won 111-97.
11/31 SLIDES © Jeff Haynes/NBAE/Getty Images

Easy two



LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers dunks against the Indiana Pacers during Game 2 of a first-round series on April 17 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. The Cavaliers won 117-111 to take a 2-0 series lead.
12/31 SLIDES © Tony Dejak/AP

Finger roll



Cleveland Cavaliers' Kyrie Irving, right, drives to the basket against Indiana Pacers' Myles Turner in the first half in Game 2 of a first-round series on April 17 in Cleveland.
13/31 SLIDES © Soobum Im/USA TODAY Sports

Crossing over



San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard, left, dribbles the ball as Memphis Grizzlies shooting guard Vince Carter defends during the second half in Game 2 of a first-round series on April 17 at AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. The Spurs won 96-82 to take a 2-0 series lead.
14/31 SLIDES © Eric Gay/AP

Looking for control



Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol, left, guard Mike Conley and San Antonio Spurs forward David Lee, center, chase a loose ball during the first half in Game 2 of a first-round series on April 17 in San Antonio.
15/31 SLIDES © Bob Levey/Getty Images

Harden on the drive



James Harden of the Rockets drives past Enes Kanter of the Thunder for a layup during Game 1 of the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs on April 16, in Houston, Texas.
16/31 SLIDES © Matthew J. Lee/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

Shot blocked



The Celtics' Jae Crowder has his shot blocked by the Bulls' Bobby Portis during the first round of the NBA Playoffs in Boston on April 16.
17/31 SLIDES © Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images

Curry likes the action



Stephen Curry of the Warriors reacts during the game against the Trail Blazers during the Western Conference playoffs on April 16 in Oakland, Calif.
18/31 SLIDES © Michael Dwyer/AP Photo

Falling down



The Celtics' Isaiah Thomas falls after being fouled by the Bulls' Dwyane Wade during the first-round of the playoff on April 16, in Boston. The Bulls won 106-102.
19/31 SLIDES © Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP Photo

Loose ball hustle



THE Wizards guard John Wall loses the ball to the Hawks guard Dennis Schroder during the Game 1 of a first-round playoff series, in Washington, Sunday, April 16.
20/31 SLIDES © Rob Carr/Getty Images

Floor play



Markieff Morris of the Wizards and Paul Millsap of the Hawks go after a loose ball during Game 1 of the Eastern Conference playoffs on April 16, in Washington, DC.
21/31 SLIDES © Harry How/Getty Images

Loose-ball collision



Gordon Hayward of the Jazz collides with Chris Paul of the Clippers as Luc Mbah a Moute looks on during the first half April 15 at Staples Center in Los Angeles.
22/31 SLIDES © Ronald Cortes/Getty Images

Parker drives



Tony Parker of the Spurs scores past Marc Gasol of the Grizzlies on April 15 at AT&T Center in San Antonio.
23/31 SLIDES © Rick Madonik/Toronto Star via Getty Images

Trapped



Raptors guard Kyle Lowry, center, looks to pass the ball from between Bucks guard Malcolm Brogdon, left, and forward Thon Maker on April 15 at Air Canada Centre in Toronto.
24/31 SLIDES © Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images

Pumped up



DeMar DeRozan of the Raptors gets fired up during an April 15 game against the Bucks in Toronto.
25/31 SLIDES © Harry How/Getty Images

Tight defense



Blake Griffin of the Clippers is defended by Joe Johnson of the Jazz during the first half April 15 in Los Angeles.
26/31 SLIDES © Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Early injury



Jazz center Rudy Gobert goes down to the floor after injuring his knee in the opening seconds against the Clippers on April 15 in Los Angeles.
27/31 SLIDES © Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Escape mode



Spurs point guard Tony Parker dribbles as Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley defends during the second half April 15 in San Antonio.
28/31 SLIDES © Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Foul time



Memphis Grizzlies point guard Mike Conley (11) is fouled while shooting by San Antonio Spurs small forward Kyle Anderson (1) during the first half in game one of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center on April 15.
29/31 SLIDES © John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Head games



Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas fouls Bucks center Greg Monroe during an April 15 game in Toronto.
30/31 SLIDES © David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Going to the floor



Pacers center Kevin Seraphin throws a pass while defended by Cavaliers forward LeBron James, left, guard JR Smith (5) and guard Kyrie Irving in the third quarter on April 15 in Cleveland.
31/31 SLIDES © David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Surrounded



Cavaliers forward Kevin Love loses the ball while surrounded by Pacers defenders during action April 15 in Cleveland.