The Cavs finished the second half of back-to-back home games on Saturday night against the Indiana Pacers.
Cleveland, who fell to the Thunder on Friday, did not have its starting backcourt as Donovan Mitchell(hamstring) joined Darius Garland(hamstring) in street clothes. In addition, Jarrett Allen missed his third staright game.
The undermanned Cavs battled in this one, but they did not have enough and would fall to the Pacers 125-113.
Here’s the Great, Not So Great, and the Bottom Line of the Cavs’ loss to the Pacers.
Great:
Evan Mobley was a beast on Saturday night. He had 33 points, 14 rebounds, and three blocks; it was the first 30-10 game of his career. With the Cavs shorthanded, Mobley got more touches and delivered.
Caris LeVert got the start, and he delivered. He scored 22 of his 31 points(12/28 FG, 4/10 3-Point FG) in the first quarter. LeVert was a man on a mission in the first quarter. He was 9/12 from the field, which included four threes.
Max Strus struggled a little with his shot(7/20 FG. 4/9 3-Point FG), but he did record a double-double as he added 11 rebounds and six assists. This was Strus’ second double-double in three games.
Not So Great:
Second Quarter: Cleveland led 37-31 at the end of the first quarter, but they went ice cold in the second quarter. Indiana started the quarter on a 15-3 run and took control. The Cavs shot 19% in the second, and they trailed 60-49 at halftime. Cleveland would never have a lead after the second quarter.
Second-Fourth Quarter LeVert: After scoring 22 points in the first quarter, Levert shot 3/16 from the field and scored only nine points the rest of the way. Maybe he ran out of gas, but he struggled after the first.
Bottom Line
Cleveland cut the lead to two on two occasions in the fourth, but they did not have enough to get over the top. It’s hard to win with Mitchell, Garland, and Allen in street clothes, so this loss was expected. Give credit to the players for fighting to the end.
What’s Next:
The Cavs finish their three-game homestand against the New York Knicks on Tuesday night.
Best of the Rest:
Aaron Nesmith led the way for the Pacers with 28 points off the bench. Tyrese Haliburton had 21 points, eight rebounds, and 13 assists, and Myles Turner added 20 points and 12 rebounds.
Isaac Okoro added 11 points, five rebounds, and three assists for the Cavs.
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