On Sunday January 12th at 6pm eastern time, the 33-4 Cleveland Cavaliers hosted the 21-18 Indiana Pacers at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in downtown Cleveland Ohio. The Cavaliers last game was a 132-126 win at home over the Toronto Raptors last Thursday. The Pacers last game was a 108-96 win at home against the Golden State Warriors last Friday. Out for the Cavaliers was Emoni Bates and Ty Jerome was listed as doubtful with an illness. Jerome did not play that night. The Pacers were without Isaiah Jackson, Aaron Nesmith, and James Wiseman for the game. The Cavaliers were looking to add to their NBA best record of 33-4 and home record of 20-1.

In the first quarter the Cavaliers ran early to a 10-0 lead. But the Pacers fought back and led after one quarter of play 21-19. In the second quarter the Cavaliers stormed back with an 11-2 run to end the quarter and the Cavaliers led at halftime 53-40. In the third quarter the Cavaliers were outscored 37-18 by the Pacers and they trailed going into the fourth quarter 77-71. The Pacers continued to outplay the Cavaliers in fourth quarter and gave the Cavaliers their fifth loss of the season 108-93. The Cleveland Cavaliers are now 33-5.

The Cavaliers’ leading scorer was Darius Garland with 20 points. Evan Mobley earned a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds in 31 minutes of play. Up next for the Cavaliers is a trip to Indianapolis Indiana to play these same Pacers on Tuesday January 14th 7pm eastern time at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse. This will be a rematch from the Cavaliers most recent loss this season. This team has not lost two games in a row since last November. I would not expect them to do that again, I would expect them to bounce back strong Tuesday night in Indiana.