INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA--- The Pacers and Cavs played game 1 of the first NBA In Season Tournament Friday night, with the Pacers getting the best of the Cavs 121-116. The Cavs would see the return of their full starting 5 with Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen returning from injury, Garland hasn't played since opening night in Brooklyn, and this was Jarrett Allen's season debut. Jarrett Allen would finish with 10 points and 7 rebounds while Garland would finish with 14 points and 6 assists.
For the first quarter, and then through the first half, the Pacers were in full control, the Cavs looked very sluggish to say the least, being out rebounded by the Pacers 31-18 in the first half. The Cavs also got blown out in the first half from behind the arc, the Pacers killed the Cavs with the 3 ball, shooting 60% from behind the arc, while the Cavs only shot 25%, taking a 17 point deficit to the halftime locker room down 70-53. Whatever it was that head coach JB Bickerstaff said in the locker room worked as the Cavs came out with fire in the second half, out scoring the Pacers 26-18 in the 3rd quarter. As the quarter continued on, the Cavs would chip away at the lead, eventually overtaking said lead for the first time all game in the last minute of the quarter thanks to a Darius Garland steal and layup, making it 85-84 Cavs. It would be the same story for the 4th quarter, with the Pacers and Cavs swapping leads, but the Pacers would open the 4th quarter with 7 quick points to jump out to a 108-105 lead. Late in the game, the Cavs seemed to run out of gas, and the Pacers took full advantage going on a late 16-9 run. The Cavs would continue to try and chip away at a late lead, but the Pacers would hold off the Cavs and get the 121-116 win.
The Cavs will be back in action Sunday night where they will host the Golden State Warriors, tip off is set for 6:00 with coverage on your flagship, Newsradio WTAM 1100 AM starting at 5:00.