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Cavs fall to Pacers, snapping Cleveland's 12-game winning streak
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- Cavs fall to Pacers, snapping Cleveland's 12-game winning streak
CLEVELAND — The Cavaliers had their previously perfect record in the Central Division blemished and their winning streak snapped Sunday against the Indiana Pacers .
The NBA-leading Cavs (33-5) entered the matchup 6-0 in the Central and riding a 12-game winning streak . However, they fell 108-93 in their first meeting of the season against the divisional foe Pacers (22-18). Cleveland will visit Indiana for a rematch Tuesday.
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Here is how the first clash between the 2024-25 Cavs and Pacers unfolded through our updates.
Cavs lose 108-93 to the Pacers
The Cavs lost at home for just the second time this season, stumbling to 20-2 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. The Cavs are now 6-1 in the Central Division.
The Cavs were outscored 37-18 in the third quarter and 31-22 in the fourth. The Cavs led 53-40 at halftime.
Cavs point guard Darius Garland had a game-high 20 points. Shooting guard Donovan Mitchell added 19.
As a team, the Cavs shot just 33 of 83 from the field (39.8%), including 11 of 41 on 3-pointers (26.8%). Cleveland's bench was outscored 42-24 by Pacers reserves.
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The Pacers are in control late vs. the Cavs with Andrew Nembhard sinking 3-pointers
Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard caught fire in the fourth quarter.
Pacers center Myles Turner nailed a 3-pointer to give Indiana a 90-78 lead with 7:19 remaining. The Cavs cut their deficit to 90-80 when point guard Darius Garland made two foul shots with 6:20 left.
Then Nembhard made his presence felt. With the shot clock on the verge of expiring, he banked in a desperation 3-pointer to boost the Pacers to a 93-80 lead with 5:48 left.
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After Garland's three-point play lead trimmed the Pacers' lead to 98-86 with 3:34 left, Nembhard struck again. His 3-pointer (not a bank shot this time) with 3:12 left put the Pacers ahead 101-86.
Nembhard scored 11 of his team-high 19 points in the fourth quarter.
Akron Zips coverage: UA great Enrique Freeman feels love from Pacers during high school hoops jersey retirement
Donovan Mitchell makes 3-pointer, Cavs lose challenge and Cleveland trails Indiana Pacers 86-78 with 9:05 left in the fourth quarter
Mitchell drained a step-back 3-pointer with 9:17 left in the fourth quarter, slicing the Cavs' deficit to 84-78.
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The Cavs trailed by the same score during a replay review spurred by a Cleveland challenge with 9:06 left. The Cavs lost the challenge, meaning Sam Merrill picked up a foul on fellow guard T.J. McConnell . McConnell made two foul shots with 9:06 left to boost Indiana's advantage to 86-78. Merrill tried to answer with a 3-pointer, but he missed the shot.
Pacers lead Cavaliers entering fourth quarter. Tyrese Haliburton sidelined with hamstring tightness
The Cavs trail 77-71 entering the fourth quarter. If there was ever a game this season where the Cavs had to scrap, this is it.
Evan Mobley has a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Mitchell and Garland are both at 12 points.
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Tyrese Haliburton has been nearly silent tonight with just two points in 18 minutes during the first half. An injury explains it. He was ruled out of the second half due to hamstring tightness.
Even the fan who had a chance for $10,000 by hitting a halfcourt shot during the intermission didn't even get close.
Pacers go on 12-0 run, lead Cavaliers
The Cavs look flat-footed tonight. Max Strus committed back-to-back turnovers, and then Mitchell committed another turnover in the backcourt, and the Pacers have opened up a 72-65 lead late in the third.
Pacers come back to tie Cavs late in third quarter
This game will not serve as an offensive exhibition anytime soon.
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The Pacers, despite shooting 40 percent from the floor and 20 percent from 3-point range, have come back to tie the Cavs 65-65 with 3:15 left in the third quarter.
Not one player in the game has reached 15 points yet.
Cavaliers, Pacers struggling on offense
Even during a slump for the Cavs offense, the Pacers have struggled to keep pace. Cleveland's lead is now 60-54 with 7:15 left in the third quarter.
The Cavs are shooting just 46 percent from the floor and 33 percent from 3-point range. Mobley has a team-high 14 points and seven rebounds. Darius Garland hasn't been as involved offensively and has 12 points and seven assists.
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The Pacers have hit just four of their 22 3-point attempts.
Jan 12, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) blocks the shot of Cleveland Cavaliers forward Isaac Okoro (35) as center Myles Turner (33) also defends during the first half at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Cavaliers lead Pacers at halftime
The Cavs are started to heat up from 3-point range, and they've built a double-digit lead over the Pacers en route to a 53-40 lead at halftime.
Mobley has 11 points and five rebounds. Donovan Mitchell had a 10-point second quarter after being held scoreless in the first quarter.
The Cavs are now at 37 percent from 3-point range. The Pacers have hit just three of their 18 3-point attempts (16 percent). That's bee n the difference.
Jan 12, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) drives to the basket against Indiana Pacers forward Obi Toppin (1) during the first half at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Cavaliers lead Pacers midway through second quarter
A Garland 3-pointer has again put the Cavs on top, 32-30, with 6:00 left in the second quarter.
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Garland now has eight points and three assists. Mitchell is finally on the board with five points, including a 3-pointer.
The Pacers are still just shooting 37 percent from the floor, but the Cavs are stuck in the low 40s (41 at the moment).
This might be a very rare 2025 NBA game in which neither team gets to 100.
Jan 12, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) drives to the basket against Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (2) during the first half at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Donovan Mitchell remains scoreless; Pacers lead Cavaliers after first quarter
Mitchell is so off from the floor that after the buzzer sounded at the end of the first quarter, he asked a ref for the ball to shoot one more 3 from the corner, presumably to see the ball go through the hoop just once. He missed that one, too.
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In game, Mitchell 0-for-5 from the floor with two turnovers. It's probably his worst quarter as a Cavalier, and the Pacers lead 21-19 heading into the second quarter.
Jan 12, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward Dean Wade (32) brings the ball up court during the first half against the Indiana Pacers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Who's winning the Cavs-Pacers game?
Despite the Pacers opening the game absolutely ice cold from the floor (23 percent), they trail by just four, 15-11, with 3:46 left in the first quarter.
The Cavs are shooting just 42 percent from the floor. It's been a pretty ugly game on the offensive end for both sides thus far.
Cavaliers, Pacers score: Cleveland opens with 10-0 run
The Cavs are jumping all over the Pacers early en route to a 10-0 lead two minutes into the game.
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Mobley and Garland just hit back-to-back 3s, and the Pacers have missed their first four shots from the floor.
Here is some pregame information:
Mas Strus listed as starter, then switched to Dean Wade just before tipoff
The Cavs originally listed small forward Max Strus as a starter for the first time this season, but Dean Wadw will actually be starting Sunday night against the Pacers.
Strus started all 70 regular-season games in which he appeared with the Cavs last season. Strus had been a projected starter before a sprained ankle forced him to miss the first 27 games this season. This will be his 10th game this season, all off the bench. Wade has now made eight consecutive starts.
Jan 8, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Max Strus (1) argues a call during the first half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Cavs injury report
The Cavs initially listed backup point guard Ty Jerome (illness) as doubtful to play, but they later ruled him out.
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Pacers injury report
The Pacers ruled out forward/center Isaiah Jackson (right Achilles tendon tear), forward Aaron Nesmith (sprained left ankle) and center James Wiseman (left Achilles tendon tear).
Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic (9) reacts as Indiana Pacers forward Enrique Freeman (8) goes to dunk the ball during the second half of a game Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Pacers defeated the Bulls 129-113.
Pacers rookie Enrique Freeman is an Akron Zips great from Cleveland
Former University of Akron star Enrique Freeman is a rookie forward with the Pacers, who drafted him in the second round (No. 50 overall) in June.
A Cleveland native, Freeman appeared in the preseason against the Cavs on Oct. 10 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse . He has been ruled out for Sunday's game due to his status as a two-way player who spends time with the Pacers and their NBA G League affiliate, the Indiana Mad Ants. Freeman has yet to face his hometown Cavs in a regular-season game.
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Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley (4) shoots a 3-pointer against the Toronto Raptors on Jan. 9, 2025, in Cleveland.
Cleveland Cavaliers broadcast information. How can I watch on TV, listen on radio or stream the Cavs, Pacers game?
Sunday's game can be watched locally on the FanDuel Sports Network . It can be heard on the radio via WMMS (100.7-FM) and WTAM (1100-AM).
Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich .
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Cavs lose to Indiana Pacers, snapping Cleveland's winning streak
