Cavs lose third straight as road woes continue against Pacers

The Cavs(22-14) begin a two-game road trip in Indy against the Pacers(19-17), and the Cavs have now lost three straight as they fell to the Pacers 135-126 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Here’s the Great, Not So Great, and the Bottom Line of the Cavs’ loss to the Pacers.

Great:

Jarrett Allen had 19 points and 14 rebounds. Allen was a perfect 5/5 and had 13 points in the fourth. He battled against the Pacers. This was Allen’s 14th double-double of the season.

Donovan Mitchell had a team-high 28 points. He didn’t shoot a high percentage, as he was 10/25 from the field, but he was 5/11 from deep.

Cleveland had seven players in double figures.

Not So Great:

Defense: For the third straight game, Cleveland allowed a team shot 50 percent or more; the Pacers shot 57% from the floor and 61% from downtown. Indiana made 19 threes.

Also, the Cavs allowed a season-high 135 points. In addition, the Cavs allowed the Pacers to score 30-plus points in three quarters.

Fourth Quarter: Cavs had their largest lead of seven with 9:29 in the fourth, and the Pacers would tie things up at 113 with just under seven minutes to go, and with just over five minutes to go and the Pacers trailing by 1, Indy would go on a 7-0 run to take control! 

Bottom Line:

The Cavs’ road woes continue. They could have defended better, which cost them. You score 126 points in regulation; most nights, you will win. 

Cleveland has now lost three straight and fell to 6-10 on the road. It’s still early, but based on how things are bunched up in the East, a few losses could drop them in the standings.

Something to keep an eye on is Darius Garland, who left and returned after injuring his thumb in the fourth quarter. According to cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor, Garland left the locker room with a bag of ice wrapped around his right hand, and the team has some concerns. Let’s hope for the best.

What’s Next:

Cleveland finishes 2022 in Chicago as they face the Bulls on Saturday night.

Best of the Rest:

Indiana had four players with 20-plus points. Tyrese Haliburton led the way with 29 points, including six threes; Buddy Hield had 26 points, including five threes; Bennedict Mathurin chipped in with 23 points off the bench, and Aaron Nesmith added 22.

Hield also made history as he made a three off the opening tip three seconds into the game.

Garland had 18 points, and eight assists for the Cavs, and Caris LeVert added 19 points off the bench.

Cleveland was without Robin Lopez(illness) and Cedi Osman(back).