The Great, Not So Great, & Bottom Line of Cavs’ big win over Pacers

The Cavs(19-11) returned home for a six-game homestand, and they got the first one as they defeated the Indiana Pacers(15-15) 118-112 on Friday night.

Here’s the Great, Not So Great, and the Bottom Line of the Cavs’ win over the Pacers.

Great:

Donovan Mitchell had another fantastic performance. After scoring 34 points against the Mavs, he was even better on Friday night as he scored 41 points, including eight threes. More on Mitchell in a moment.

Darius Garland is back at home, so of course, he balls out. Garland had 20 points and 10 assists. The Cavs backcourt combined for 61 of the team’s 118 points.

Fourth Quarter Mitchell: Mitchell scored a season-high 18 points in the fourth on 5/6 shooting, including three threes. He was extra special, and with the Cavs down 13 points with nine minutes left, Mitchell, who gave Cleveland their final lead since the second quarter when he hit a three with just under four minutes to go, helped Cleveland close the game on a 28-9 run. 

This was Cleveland’s biggest fourth-quarter comeback of the season.

Fourth Quarter Defense: Indiana had three straight 30-plus point quarters, but Cleveland’s defense finally woke up in the fourth. They outscored the Pacers 35-18 in the quarter. Indiana shot 37% from the field and was 2/11 from deep. 

Not So Great:

Defense in the First Three Quarters: Indiana scored 94 points on 57% shooting from the field in the first three quarters. Indiana scored 52 of the 94 points in the paint in those quarters, but of course, the fourth quarter happened.

Bottom Line:

This is why you trade for Donovan Mitchell. Cleveland needed another guy who could take over, and Mitchell is that guy. He can score the basketball at a high level and is doing some amazing things right now.

Cleveland probably would not have won this game last season.

What’s Next:

The Cavs continue their six-game homestand Saturday night against the Mavs.

Best of the Rest:

Bennedict Mathurin led the Pacers with 22 points off the bench. Tyrese Haliburton had 17 points and 14 assists.

Evan Mobley had 16 points, nine rebounds, and two blocks; Cedi Osman had 14 points and Caris LeVert had 12 off the bench.

According to Cavs Notes, Mitchell has now scored 40-plus points three times this season. He is the seventh player EVER to have three games of 40-plus points, joining LeBron James (51), Kyrie Irving (11), Mike Mitchell (4), World B. Free (3), Ricky Davis (3), and Darius Garland (3).