(Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN -- The Indiana Pacers came out of the gates smoking, jumping out to a 21-point lead in the first half, while scoring 71 points before halftime. JB Bickerstaff's squad put an emphasis on the defensive end of the floor to help mount their comeback. Cleveland winger Caris LeVert took over the game in the closing minutes, scoring 15 second half points including 6 consecutive points in the final two minutes. A late surge by the Cavaliers proved to be too much for the Pacers to handle, losing by the final score of 120-113.
The piping hot Cleveland Cavaliers went on the road and stole a win without their star point guard Darius Garland, who sat out the game due to back issues. Cavaliers big man Jarrett Allen owned the paint on his way to a 22 point 14 rebound night. The clutch performance by Caris LeVert left him with a final line of 22 points and 5 dimes. Veteran point guard Rajon Rondo stepped up in a big way in the absence of Garland, scoring 17 points off the bench.
The Cavaliers will travel to the city of brotherly love to square off against a new-look 76ers team on Saturday night. Tip-off is set for 7:30 pm ET at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.